TUI shares message for all passengers flying after May 1

Passengers with flights booked after May 1 will be interested in the airline’s recent update

TUI has issued a statement to passengers concerned about potential ‘fuel shortages’. The holiday firm provided guidance via social media in response to a worried customer. The update comes after experts claimed Europe could face jet fuel shortages if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened in the coming weeks.

Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, the trade body for European airports, previously said: “At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU.

“The fact that we are entering the peak summer season… is only adding to those concerns.” On Thursday, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned Europe has “maybe six weeks of jet fuel left”.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has previously told Sky News: “Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market. We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated.”

In light of recent news, a TUI passenger contacted the airline for an update on flights after May 1. Posting on X, the social media user asked: “TUIUK, with the reported jet fuel shortages, are you expecting holidays from May 1st to be affected?”

Replying to the message on April 16, a customer service team member shared an answer from the airline, reports the Mirror. She wrote: “Hey, we’re closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.

“At present, we’re not anticipating any immediate disruption to our flight schedules or holiday programmes from fuel shortages.” Passengers can check the airline’s website for any travel updates.

Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport Keir Mather has said that ‘there is no immediate cause for concern relating to fuel stocks.’ Sharing a question for the Department for Transport, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh Liz Jarvi said: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of jet fuel availability and pricing; what discussions she has had with airlines and industry stakeholders on fuel costs; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those factors on passenger airfares.”

On April 17, Mr Mather replied: “The Government is monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel supplies, including jet fuel. In coordination with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero we have worked with fuel suppliers, airlines and airports to understand levels of jet fuel and pricing.

“There is no immediate cause for concern relating to fuel stocks, and speculation will not help airlines or passengers. Many airlines lock in fuel prices in advance, to help protect tickets from spikes in price. We encourage all airlines to do what they can to ensure tickets remain fairly and appropriately priced for passengers.”