British airlines have been granted government authorization to cancel or merge flights this summer season to save aviation fuel, The Guardian reported.
This measure aims to prevent severe disruptions in the aviation sector as carriers re-evaluate their schedules to identify flights that can be removed with the least delay for passengers.
The new legislation facilitates the consolidation of schedules on routes with multiple daily flights to a single destination, a strategy intended to prevent last-minute cancellations.
Airlines are expected to notify passengers of these changes at least two weeks before their departure date, allowing travelers to arrange alternative routes. Additionally, UK government officials noted that flights with low ticket sales may be canceled to avoid wasting fuel on nearly empty aircraft.
These emergency steps follow warnings from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding a potential jet fuel crisis in Europe.
The shortage is attributed to the war in Iran and the effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely impacted fuel supplies from the Middle East. According to the International Energy Agency, fuel reserves for aircraft in Europe could begin to run out in as little as six weeks.
While Iran recently announced the reopening of the strait to commercial traffic, the aviation industry remains wary.
In response to the crisis, officials in Brussels are also considering a “voluntary coordination” plan to redistribute jet fuel among European Union member states to ensure no single country faces a total shortage.