UK jet-fuel disruption causes 296 cancellations at Heathrow and Gatwick as TUI sees no summer shortage

Disruption overview

A jet-fuel supply squeeze in the United Kingdom has already pushed cancellations higher, with 296 departures cut at UK airports in the first 12 days of May and Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport among the worst affected. TUI says it doesn't expect a shortage over the next 10 weeks or a direct hit to its summer flying program beyond higher prices, but concern remains across the wider industry as tanker traffic stays under pressure and airlines review schedules. If your flight is disrupted because of this wider supply problem, compensation is usually unlikely under EC 261 because the cause sits outside the airline's control, though you should still be offered care, rerouting, or a refund where needed.

Get flight compensation

Check if the airline owes you money for your delayed or canceled flight

Disruption details

A jet-fuel supply squeeze has already led to 296 canceled departures at UK airports in the first 12 days of May, with Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport among the hardest hit as the summer holiday season approaches. For passengers, that means travel plans are already feeling less certain before the busiest weeks begin.

The disruption is linked to wider fuel-supply pressure tied to the Iran War and the partial blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, which has made tanker traffic more difficult. Even so, TUI says it doesn't expect a shortage over the next 10 weeks and doesn't see a direct hit to its summer flying program beyond higher fuel prices.

The airline says fuel hedging and alternative crude supplies now coming from Nigeria are helping to protect its position. TUI also believes fears of planes simply running out of fuel have been overstated, even as concern grows across the wider UK aviation sector.

The latest figures show why the issue isn't just theoretical. UK airport cancellations jumped from 120 in the previous 6-day period to 296 in the first 12 days of May, a 150% increase. That rise has put pressure on government and regulators to avoid deeper disruption later in the summer.

The main pressure points so far are:

• Ryanair has already cut its winter schedule, removing 700,000 seats across Europe.

• Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport have written to ministers to oppose a reported plan to relax airport-slot rules.

• The proposal could let airlines cancel more than 100,000 peak-season flights without losing their slots.

• Airlines can currently cancel up to 20% of peak-time slots and still keep them for the following season.

Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport say the current 20% threshold is already generous. Their concern is that looser slot rules could push airlines to cut schedules more aggressively if fuel pressure gets worse, affecting millions of passengers at the busiest time of year.

That leaves passengers caught between reassurance and warning. International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, still intends to operate its full summer program, and easyJet is still promoting a booking-with-confidence pledge. Ryanair's earlier capacity cuts, though, show how quickly schedules can change when supply risks and costs start to climb.

The UK Department for Transport says airlines aren't currently seeing a jet-fuel shortage. Officials say carriers usually buy fuel months in advance, airports keep strategic stocks, and work is underway with suppliers while the government consults on measures designed to keep schedules realistic and reduce last-minute disruption.

If your flight is canceled because of this wider fuel-supply problem, cash compensation is usually unlikely under EC 261 because the cause sits outside the airline's control. But that doesn't mean you're without support. Your airline should still offer rerouting or a refund, plus care and assistance such as food, drinks, and hotel accommodation if you're stranded overnight.

If your journey is affected, keep hold of your booking documents and any receipts for essential expenses. And if you want to understand what applies to your flight, AirHelp's free flight checker is a simple place to start.

Protect your future trips with AirHelp+

Secure your flights, luggage and get lounge access