Amid concerns over jet fuel shortages, the UK government has eased penalties for airlines that cancel flights, it has emerged.
Carriers that scrap services due to a lack of fuel will no longer automatically lose their valuable takeoff and landing slots at busy airports—rights that are typically forfeited if flights are not operated over a given period, reports the Guardian, UK.
The change, which allows Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body managing UK airport slots, to grant exemptions from the “use it or lose it” rule during shortages, was a key demand from airlines.
They have been lobbying for government support as fuel prices rise and a supply crisis looms. The government said the move would allow carriers to “focus on minimising disruption” rather than flying purely to protect slots.
Despite the flexibility, the Department for Transport issued fresh advice on Friday reassuring the public that they should stick to their travel plans.
“There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans,” the guidance said, adding that UK airlines are “clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel.” The government said it is meeting regularly with the industry to monitor risks.
“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,” the advice stated. However, passengers were also urged to “continue checking with their airlines before they travel” and to ensure they have insurance.
The government stressed that if a flight is cancelled, passengers remain entitled to a full refund or an alternative route to their destination.
Airlines have also lobbied for fuel shortages to be classified as an “exceptional circumstance”, which would exempt them from paying additional compensation if they cancel flights with less than 14 days’ notice.
While some European carriers have already cut schedules—Lufthansa cancelled 20,000 summer flights this week—UK airlines have largely sought to project business as usual amid consumer anxiety over costs and cancellations.
Tour operator Jet2 said on Friday it will not add any fuel surcharge to flights or holidays booked this summer.
Its chief executive, Steve Heapy, said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.”
