Trade rallies round to provide context on flight cancellations

The trade has rallied round in an effort to reassure prospective holidaymakers after reports of mass flight cancellations this summer due to jet fuel shortages.

Multiple national and regional media outlets carried news stories on Wednesday concentrating on global figures, with many failing to clarify that UK numbers were minimal.

The government, Abta and easyjet all released statements to provide context in a collective bid to allay consumer fears while Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo-Bue Said appeared on national television to offer balance.  

 

The collective response came in the face of reports of airlines cutting 13,000 flights globally in May as jet fuel prices soar due to conflict in the Middle East.

 

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium showed Munich and Istanbul were among the worst-hit destinations.

 

However, the BBC pointed out that there is currently no shortage in aviation fuel in the UK and reported the Department for Transport as insisting that there is “no need” for people to change their travel plans.

 

The DfT issued a statement saying: “While there has been media reporting on flights cancelled internationally in May, data from Cirium shows only 0.53% of the UK’s planned flights for the month have been cancelled. 

 

“The majority of these UK cancellations are to and from the Middle East due to the conflict.

 

“This is within the range of the amount of cancellations we would expect in a normal year, and we continue to monitor the situation.

“In previous years, we typically see around 1% of all flights arriving or departing from the UK cancelled, based on CAA punctuality statistics.

 

“Data from Cirium shows only up to 0.2% flights have been cancelled from June to August.”

 

A government statement added: "There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

 

"We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating."

 

Carriers such as Jet2, easyJet and Wizz Air have all recently indicated that they plan to run full schedules from UK airports this summer.

 

Airlines also welcomed government contingency plans released on Saturday which will ensure they do no lose airport take-off and landing slots if they are forced to consolidate flights.

 

Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade insisted that "no flights are being cancelled due to fuel shortages".

 

"UK airlines are planning to operate their full schedules this summer, including the May half-term," he said.

       

Abta issued “clarification and reassurance” for customers in the face of reports in the media speculating about fuel supplies and cancellations,

 

Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “We really don’t want people worrying about their holidays; planes are taking off daily and people are continuing to get away on their holidays. 

 

"The government and airlines are clear that there isn’t a problem with fuel supply. If you have a holiday booked in for the coming months – including the May half term – we expect it to go ahead as planned.

 

“Whilst there have been reports about cancellations globally, these amount to less than one percent of overall flights.”

 

EasyJet said it was not seeing any disruption to fuel supply. 

 

“We continue to operate our flights and package holidays as normal and are not making changes or cancellations,” the airline noted.

 

“We remain in close contact with suppliers who continue to provide uninterrupted supply and are diversifying exporting from additional countries globally to bolster supplies going forward.”

 

EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis added: "I want our customers to book with confidence this summer. We are operating as normal and are not making changes or cancellations and we are looking forward to taking millions of people on their well-deserved holidays this summer."

 

Advantage chief executive Julia Lo-Bue Said appeared on GB News to also provide context to the situation.

 

She said: “These headlines are really sad at a time when people are feeling really anxious. The only risk is not booking your holiday.”

 

Lo-Bue Said pointed out that of the total of 13,000 cancellations being reported, only 120 are from the UK, with the vast majority being in and out of the Middle East.

 

“It’s really frustrating for so many people worrying about booking, worrying about their summer holidays when they should just be thinking about where to go.” 

 

Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “The percentage of flights cancelled from the UK remains small, when you consider that the worst airlines cancel over 2% of flights less than a day before departure, even in normal times. 

 

“Our advice for this summer is to book a package holiday, as that is the best way to protect the full cost of your holiday should greater disruption occur.” 

 

Norwegian Air chief executive Geir Karlsen also confirmed today (Thursday) that “we do not plan to cancel any flights due to the current high fuel prices”.