Simon Calder, the travel journalist and broadcaster, has spoken out following the alarming news of the removal of some 13,000 flights from the May schedule worldwide
Travel expert Simon Calder spoke out about the developments(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Simon Calder has reassured Brits he feels travel chaos this summer is unlikely — despite the removal of 13,000 flights worldwide this month alone.
The travel journalist, 70, was asked about the challenges the industry faces amid the Middle East crisis, which is rocketing jet fuel costs and has led to the cancellations of flights. KLM and Lufthansa made the decision as early as last month to axe some flights across Europe.
But Mr Calder has stressed families shouldn’t be concerned their holiday plans will crumble this year. He said: “Keep calm and carry on booking… I’ve talked in the last 24 hours to top people in the travel industry and they’re really frustrated that there’s all this talk of cancellations, when the reality is that people will get their holiday as they expect.”
Yet, more than 100 flights from London Heathrow have been cut from the May schedule alone amid fears that the long-term supply of jet fuel could cause further cancellations this summer. Although the government has told us jet fuel levels are sufficient for now, prices of the energy are increasing due to the conflict in the Middle East.
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Speaking on TV today, Mr Calder continued: “These are actually figures for the month of May, which is low season — they are across the whole world and are included a couple of airlines who have taken out masses of flights, in particular Lufthansa of Germany and Turkish Airlines.”
But the journalist said he recognises why families will be alarmed. Holidays for June, July and August will have been booked in considerable advance and these designs may now be in jeopardy.
Dad-of-two Mr Calder added: “Yeah, some people fly on Turkish Airlines, although they haven’t cancelled any routes to and from the UK or any flights. A number of people fly on Lufthansa, and they have cancelled a few Glasgow to Frankfurt, for instance, which is annoying, and passengers are being sent to Edinburgh instead. But it’s 1.5% of the capacity.”
Oil prices have soared since the start of the US-Iran war more than two months ago, when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the Middle East and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of global oil traded passes.
A government spokesperson said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. Aviation fuel is typically bought in advance and airports and suppliers keep stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.
“We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airports, airlines and international counterparts to keep flights operating. We are also consulting on measures to help airlines plan realistic flight schedules which will avoid last-minute disruption and protect holidays.”
