EasyJet boss issues statement on summer jet fuel supplies

Important update for Brits

In recent months, much of the talk around the travel industry has been the rising cost of fuel and the number of cancelled flights around the world.

As the war in the Middle East continues, the wider impacts of conflict are being felt across the region, notably as we approach the UK half-term school holidays.

EasyJet boss gives update

Despite some airlines cancelling flights and adding tariffs, British holidaymakers should not worry about their flights with EasyJet, according to the boss of the airline.

Speaking to the BBC, EasyJet boss Kenton Jarvis said that holidaymakers should not panic over whether flights will be affected by jet fuel supplies this summer.

The airline had seen no issues with fuel supplies and that travellers could book with confidence, Jarvis said.

A near doubling in fuel prices has been caused by the Iran war since late February, which has led to the effective blockade of the key Strait of Hormuz waterway, normally a key route for jet fuel in Europe.

Flights are being booked later

EasyJet added that customers were booking flights later because of the uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East, even if its supplies were not affected.

Amid concerns over supplies and price rises, on Wednesday it emerged that plans to impose a ban on UK imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil in third countries have been watered down.

“We've seen absolutely no issues with fuel supply in any of our airports in the UK across Europe or indeed beyond”, Jarvis told the BBC's Today programme.

As he added that the carrier stayed in close contact with its fuel suppliers, airports and governments, he said that “they're equally raising no issues looking forward”.

Jarvis added that the airline would not be adding fuel surcharges to fares, telling holidaymakers that “I would absolutely say don't panic about it, at EasyJet we fully intend to fly the summer schedule that we have on sale”.

Production of fuel has increased

Fuel production had increased in Norway, West Africa and the Americas, while “refining capacity for jet fuel has also increased substantially outside of the Gulf region”, he added.

With demand strong for flights departing the same month, Jarvis said that one change EasyJet had seen was a “shortened booking window”.

“As you look further out people are more cautious, people are waiting and watching, but they are booking… and I expect that strong late booking market to run through the summer”.

Recently, EasyJet reported a pre-tax loss of £552m for the six months to March.

Typically, airlines make losses over the winter then look to make profits during the peak summer holiday season.

According to the carrier, its financial performance during the second half of the year would be affected by higher fuel costs and uncertainty over customer demand.

EasyJet was “one of the more sensitive European airlines to fuel price fluctuations”, Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown said.

Win £1,000 in our FREE Win-Lose-Draw Predictor

In the age of stats geeks, AI-generated Fantasy teams and nth-degree analysis, we've stripped football knowledge down to its most instinctual form: Win, Lose or Draw.

In JOE's new Premier League Win-Lose-Draw Predictor, you can prove your footballing nous up against your mates, while also being in with a chance of winning £1,000 each week.

And if no users predict all results correctly, EVERY player who submitted an entry will be placed into a random prize draw for the £1,000.

Two players came within an inch of winning the jackpot last week with 9/10 right - play below for this weekend's fixtures! It takes just a few minutes to enter...