TUI has given new statements to travellers on the latest situation in the Middle East (Image: Getty Images)
Airline and travel operator TUI has issued updated guidance for all customers ‘due to travel’ following concerns regarding fuel availability and whether routes are being affected by the Middle East conflict. British holidaymakers have been flooding social media with questions to major airlines about whether their summer breaks will be disrupted.
Last week the head of the world’s energy watchdog cautioned that Europe has just six weeks’ worth of jet fuel left due to the Middle East conflict. In a fresh update just published, TUI addressed passengers directly.
In a statement on its website aimed at ‘customers due to travel’, TUI said: “We’d like to reassure customers that their safety and wellbeing remain our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East, as well as the latest guidance issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
“There is currently no FCDO advice against travel to the destinations where we are operating. Holidays are continuing as planned, and customers in resort are enjoying their breaks as normal. We continually review all FCDO updates, and if any changes to travel advice affect upcoming holidays, we will contact impacted customers directly. TUI will never operate holidays to any destination or region where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel.
“For the latest official information, customers can refer to the FCDO Travel Advice website.” Regarding individuals contemplating journeys to the Middle East, it stated: “We are currently monitoring the situation across the Middle East and the latest guidance issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). As of 1 March, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Bahrain.
“FOR CUSTOMERS DUE TO TRAVEL TO THE UAE OR QATAR OR TRANSIT THROUGH: Due to airspace restrictions in parts of the region, flights to and from the UK have been impacted and will experience delays or cancellations.
“If you are due to travel to, or transit through, the UAE or Qatar on or before 1st May, our pre-travel team will contact you ahead of your departure date to discuss your options.
“We are working through bookings in departure date order. If you would prefer to speak with us sooner, please call 0203 451 2688.Please note we are currently receiving a high volume of calls and there may be a delay in answering. We appreciate your patience while our teams assist customers.”
Passengers have been reaching out to TUI on social media to enquire whether holidays in May and June could be affected, with many questioning whether the jet fuel situation might jeopardise their travel plans. In response, TUI stated that passengers would be informed as soon as possible should anything change.
One reply read: “We’re closely monitoring the situation. We’re working with our airline partners to make sure everything runs smoothly, and at the moment, there’s no indication that your holiday will be affected. If anything changes, we’ll update you straight away.”
EasyJet revealed that the conflict in the Middle East cost the airline approximately £25 million in increased jet fuel prices last month. The Luton-based carrier announced it expects to report a headline loss before tax of between £540 million and £560 million for the six months to the end of March.
Oil prices — which have a considerable impact on the cost of jet fuel — surged in response to Iran’s grip on tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has brought “near-term uncertainty around fuel costs and customer demand”, easyJet warned.
Bookings are down two percentage points for the three months to the end of both June and September compared with the same period last year. Fears have emerged that airlines could be compelled to ground flights due to shortages of jet fuel, however easyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis stated that all airports the carrier serves are “operating as normal”. He continued: “We only ever in this industry have three to four weeks visibility (of jet fuel supplies), and that is the same as it was pre-crisis.
“We have visibility to the middle of May, and we have no concerns. What we’re seeing is airports and fuel suppliers working well to bring jet fuel to the airports.”
However, the head of the world’s energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency, cautioned that Europe has “maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left”. Executive director Fatih Birol told the Associated Press that flight cancellations could occur “soon” should oil supplies remain constrained by the Iran war.
A Government spokesperson said: “We continue to engage with British airlines to support their operations against the backdrop of war in the Middle East, and to limit the impact on passengers.
“Most airlines purchase their aviation fuel in advance to offset price fluctuations, however we are aware of the impact to businesses, and are working with international allies to see a reopening of the Strait as soon as possible.”
