The Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh, believes that by the end of May we could start to see flight cancellations in Europe due to fuel shortages, as is already happening in some parts of Asia.
ACI Europe, the Airports Council International, has also warned of the risks of fuel shortages and this week welcomed the European Commission’s initiative, which, among other measures, called for an assessment of the possibility of Member States sharing kerosene.
Although Spain is better protected from a hypothetical shortage in the jet fuel market, it may be affected by the impact on other, less well-protected European markets, particularly the United Kingdom, which is the leading source of tourists to Spain, with just over 18 million travellers in 2025.
The Spanish Minister for Industry, Jordi Hereu, said this week: “We can fill planes in Málaga, Barcelona or Madrid, but we also depend on Heathrow (London, UK) or Hanover (Germany) being able to fill their planes.” Despite this climate of uncertainty, the Airlines Association (ALA), the organisation representing virtually all airlines operating in Spain, remains optimistic and this very week forecast a 5.7% increase in scheduled seats for the summer season (April to October), reaching almost 260 million.
Spain may also benefit from tourists travelling from destinations in the eastern Mediterranean that are perceived as being less safe. According to the British government “UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving.”
It goes on to state: “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. We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.”
How is the government protecting passengers?
Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:
depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline
For more information about your rights, you can:
speak directly to your airline, travel agent or tour operator
visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for guidance on delays and cancellations
read the air passenger travel guide
What is government doing?
“Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported. We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.”