Due to skyrocketing fuel prices brought on by the Middle East conflict, two of Europe’s largest airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights.
German carrier Lufthansa said today that a regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, will suspend operations from Saturday due to high kerosene prices and labour disputes.
And Dutch airline KLM has withdrawn 160 flights across the next month as a consequence of growing fuel prices.
It comes as officials are war-gaming for shortages sparked by the Iran war as early as the late May bank holiday, threatening thousands of families’ getaway plans just as the peak season starts.
They are already facing increased fares because the price of jet fuel has doubled since the conflict began, which airlines are passing on to their customers.
Holidaymakers could also be hit with queues of up to four hours at some European airports, because of new border controls introduced by Brussels.
The head of the global energy watchdog sounded the alarm over jet fuel by saying Europe faces possible shortages in six weeks.
The boss of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, warned that flights may ‘soon’ start being cancelled if oil supplies remain patchy.
Alluding to the Strait of Hormuz – through which a fifth of the world’s oil travels – not yet being completely re-opened, he said: ‘I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of lack of jet fuel.’
He added that Europe has ‘maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left’.
After the Continent’s airport trade association initially issued a warning last week that jet fuel shortages would occur in a matter of weeks, European capitals have started preparing for the possible supply problems.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe said its members had ‘increasing concerns’ about the availability of jet fuel, warning smaller airports are particularly vulnerable.
Additionally, it was revealed that UK officials are preparing for possible shortages in five or six weeks.
Officials believe less than 10 per cent of flights would have to be cancelled if shortages hit, because British suppliers have adjusted well and ‘diversified’ where they buy the fuel from.
They have told airlines they must give passengers at least two weeks’ notice of any cancellations.
However, when the summer holiday high season intensifies, this may still have an impact on thousands of anticipating travellers.
Airlines are cancelling hundreds of flights, not because of any fuel deficiency, but because the general public is not booking getaways out of caution, plus they are refusing to pay grossly inflated ticket prices – the solution, just twist the facts.
However, operating an airline is not as it seems. It’s an extremely costly industry with thin margins, and the slightest disruptions, such as fuel supply, plane issues et cetera can cause airlines to go bust.
Many people work hard all year round and then just want some time away with their families. Nothing extraordinary, just a few days somewhere other than the UK. Some spend a fortune renewing their family passports, and then Donald Trump, the orange Tango man, throws a wobbly.
Everything that you see and hear is a scam, and we are sleepwalking into communism while the populace ignores the lessons of the COVID con.
Just to remind everyone, during COVID we had lockdown restrictions that they imposed but didn’t adhere to themselves – remember that? And this is just another lockdown wearing another outfit – work from home, don’t travel – you waking up yet?
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 