British holiday company and tour operator Jet2 has announced a significant update for travellers ahead of the busy summer season, to reassure passengers of a possible shortage of jet fuel associated with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Though broader industry worries loom, the airline maintains its confidence in resuming flights and package holidays as usual throughout summer 2026.
Fuel supply concerns have increased in the past few months due to the disruption to oil routes via the Strait of Hormuz, the rise in jet fuel prices and the warning from aviation experts about potential shortages. European airlines have been paying close attention, with some analysts saying continued disruptions may result in higher fares and fewer flights later this year.
But Jet2 has sought to put passengers at ease, saying that it has been given “positive updates” from fuel suppliers. The company says it is continuing to meet its demand for additional fuel production and imports from outside of the Middle East to maintain normal operations during the busy summer months. The airline has strongly warned that passengers who hold travel plans from June,
July and August will have to rely on the acts of God clause and should expect services to go on as planned.
The price paid at the time of booking will not be subject to any additional fuel surcharges on existing bookings, added Jet2, affirming its pledge to passengers to pay “once booked, never reset”. The update comes as a move to alleviate concerns by travellers who have been concerned about travel disruption or increased travel expenses due to fuel market instability around the world.
The airline sector has been facing challenges since the prices of jet fuel increased on the back of geopolitical tensions between Iran. Earlier, industry leaders, such as the International Air Transport Association chief executive, had said that if supply chains continued to be strained, this could result in some regions facing shortages. But a number of big European airlines now claim contingency planning and alternative sourcing plans are easing concerns in the market.
Unlike other budget airlines, such as Ryanair, whose bosses recently predicted a dramatic drop in the likelihood of a fuel shortage all over Europe, Jet2’s confidence comes from a lack of reason. Airlines have reportedly beefed up their fuel stocks and have also bought fuel from other markets, such as the United States, West Africa and other non-Gulf producers, to lessen reliance on Middle Eastern flying.
There has been uncertainty over the impact geopolitical tensions could have on fuel prices but Jet2 says customers can continue to book holidays with confidence as “summer is on”. The airline’s message for now is simple: flights should proceed as normal, even with the world in turmoil, during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
The European airlines deny any summer fuel shortage is a crisis, but one appears to be developing. The European airline industry is trying to downplay the worry over the summer lack.
