Fuel shortages could cause more flight cancellations (stock photo) (Image: rbkomar via Getty Images)
Holidaymakers could potentially face disruption to their summer travel plans owing to fuel shortages, and one travel expert has outlined precisely what this means for those with trips booked.
The price of jet fuel has surged dramatically in recent weeks due to shortages triggered by the Iran war, which has halted trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. European airlines, including KLM and Lufthansa, have already scrapped hundreds of flights amid fears of a fuel shortage, and last week, experts warned that British tourists could face up to eight weeks of airport chaos this summer should the Strait of Hormuz crisis persist.
In a TikTok video, one travel expert has offered his assessment of the situation, insisting that holidaymakers needn’t panic — and there is a very good reason why popular carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet have yet to cancel any flights.
What does the fuel shortage mean for summer holidays?
Rob Brooks, a holiday expert and insider for travel firm On The Beach, posted a video over the weekend setting out precisely what the fuel crisis means for the majority of Brits planning their summer getaways.
He said: “Yes, some flights are being cancelled. But it’s not because planes can’t fly, or destinations are unsafe. It’s because, in some cases, it’s become too expensive to fly certain routes for airlines. When fuel prices spike like this, the airlines have a choice: they can either run the flight and lose money, or they can cancel it. And occasionally, they choose to cancel it.”
Rob went on to explain that many airlines don’t actually purchase fuel at current prices, instead using a practice known as “fuel hedging”, whereby they have already locked in fuel prices months, and sometimes years, ahead of time.
He added: “So while, yes, fuel prices are rising right now, a lot of airlines are protected from that, especially for summer 2026 at least. Airlines like Ryanair and easyJet are well-known for hedging a big chunk of their fuel early, so they’re not suddenly scrambling or cancelling loads of flights overnight.
“The airlines that are most affected are the ones that chose not to hedge their fuel.”
However, Rob pointed out that despite the media frenzy surrounding cancelled flights, only approximately 1% of flights have actually been axed, which is not vastly different from the number typically cancelled or delayed for reasons unrelated to fuel shortages.
What does the fuel shortage mean for package holidays?
Package holidays may be impacted somewhat differently, given that your hotel stay is also tied to your flight. Nevertheless, Rob insisted that should you find yourself amongst those whose flight is cancelled, it doesn’t necessarily spell disaster for your holiday, as travel companies will endeavour to make alternative arrangements.
He said: “Even if you are in that small percentage of people affected, and your flight does get cancelled, that doesn’t automatically mean that your holiday is just gone.
“Holiday companies will always try to find you an alternative flight first. Same destination, same hotel, just a different flight. Sometimes, that might be going a day earlier, or coming back a day later. Which, yeah, can be really annoying. But at least you get to keep your holiday.
“Yes, in some cases, if there’s no realistic alternative flight, your holiday will be cancelled for a refund. But most of the time, a cancelled flight just means a tweak to your holiday, not a cancellation.”
Rob also noted that travel firms may take longer to respond to customers regarding potential flight cancellations and package holiday amendments, urging travellers to “be patient”. The process remains “surprisingly manual”, meaning staff require “a long time” to resolve any issues that may arise.
