The UK government has quietly handed airlines some significant new powers heading into peak travel season. As jet fuel supplies grow increasingly uncertain, new legislation now allows airlines to cancel or consolidate flights in advance, without losing their valuable takeoff and landing slots.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since early March, a major problem for the airline industry in the UK. The Strait, being one of the world’s key arteries for oil and gas, has caused ripple effects to hit Europe hard. The UK imports roughly 65% of its jet fuel from the Middle East, and some estimates put jet fuel reserves at only a few weeks.
According to the report from the Guardian, normally, airlines that cancel allocated slots are at risk of losing their right to use them the next season. That’s why you will sometimes see planes flying half-empty, those half-empty flights are carriers protecting their route rights rather than making sensible operational calls. The new rules will change that, at least temporarily.
This consolidation will mean multiple flights on the same route and the same day will be merged into fewer services. If a route has three departures and the demand is too thin, two of them could disappear weeks ahead of their departure, as cancellations are required to happen at least two weeks out.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met last Thursday with airport reps from Heathrow and Gatwick, plus British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and easyJet. The legislation was announced the following Sunday.
“There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer. “This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses. We will do everything we can to insulate our country from the impact of the situation in the Middle East.”
Rob Bishton of the UK Civil Aviation Authority noted the slot rule relaxation should give airlines enough flexibility to notify passengers as early as possible.
If your summer travel plans involve airplane travel in the UK, it’s worth keeping an eye on your booking.
