UK Airlines Get Permission to Cancel or Merge Flights as Fuel Worries Grow

Airlines flying out of the UK will be allowed to cancel or combine flights this summer under new government rules aimed at saving jet fuel, as the conflict in the Middle East keeps supply chains shaky. The move is designed to prevent chaos at airports just as millions of Britons head off on holiday. Carriers are now combing through their schedules to decide which flights can be scrapped ahead of time, giving passengers a better chance of rebooking without last-minute scrambles. On Sunday, the government announced legislation that lets airlines consolidate multiple daily flights to the same destination, cutting down on empty seats and wasted fuel. Normally, airlines risk losing their takeoff and landing slots if they cancel flights too often, which sometimes forces them to run half-empty planes just to keep the rights. Under the new rules, carriers can give back a limited number of slots without penalty as long as cancellations are announced at least two weeks in advance. Passengers will be moved to similar services earlier, reducing disruption. Rob Bishton, head of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said the relaxed slot rules will give airlines more flexibility and urged them to notify travellers as soon as possible. The plan emerged from a meeting last Thursday between Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and leaders of Heathrow, Gatwick, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and easyJet. The real worry stems from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas that has been effectively closed since March, sparking an energy crisis across Europe. Some estimates suggest the continent has only a few weeks of jet fuel left. The UK imports about 65% of its jet fuel, much of it from the Middle East. Alexander said there are no immediate shortages, but the government wants to give families certainty and avoid gate-side chaos this summer. “This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to,” she said, “which helps protect passengers and businesses.”