Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has said UK jet fuel suppliers will look to the US for increased imports as the Iran fuel crisis threatens to wreck family holidays.
Addressing President Trump in an exclusive interview with the Mail on Sunday, she said: ‘Let’s work together to find a way to resolve this crisis. Let’s find a way to end it and get back to normal.’
As well as working with ‘international partners’, she hopes plans announced on Sunday will also prevent a ‘summer of discontent’ and save Britain from shortages caused by the war in Iran.
Ms Alexander is creating stronger protections for travellers facing holiday cancellations and new rules so airlines can make the most of flights in the event of rationing.
She said: ‘I know how hard people save for their trips abroad. I want the public to know that we’ve got their back and that’s why we’re announcing these plans.
‘The last thing I want is for people to be experiencing last minute disruptions and cancellations – for them to get to the departure gate and not able to go away on their summer holiday.’
Ministers are anticipating a difficult few months ahead if the war does not end, and trying to save family trips from cancellation.
Airlines will be able to condense their schedules if they have multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (pictured) has urged the US to boost oil exports to Britain to stop the Iran fuel crisis wrecking family holidays
Addressing President Trump (pictured) in an exclusive interview with the Mail on Sunday, Ms Alexander said: ‘Let’s work together to find a way to resolve this crisis. Let’s find a way to end it and get back to normal’
This means families will know in advance if they are being moved onto similar services earlier, meaning avoiding last minute cancellations, delays and wasted fuel from empty flights.
If shortages bite, airlines will also be able to limit flights in a way that does not penalise them in the future, meaning passengers will know long in advance if their flight time changes.
Families are already panicking about the impending fuel crisis ahead of the summer. One government source said Google searches about fuel shortages and holidays are ‘through the roof’.
America and Iran are still at a stalemate over the conflict which is causing fuel prices to shoot up while the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Airlines are insisting that their supplies are stable for now, but Britain imports 60 per cent of its jet fuel through the key shipping channel. According to industry figures, if it remains closed past June there will be major disruption.
Already, the UK is importing more fuel from America to limit the impact. But Ms Alexander is trying to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
She said: ‘We are dealing with an evolving situation in the Middle East and I don’t have a crystal ball. But what I think is right is for the government to do sensible planning now and not risking looking back in regret.’
Sunday’s announcement aims at anticipating these issues to stop summer holidays being ruined.
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Even though the price of jet fuel has doubled since the start of the war, some airlines have claimed they will not hike prices.
However, if the crisis continues they will have no choice but to hammer holidaymakers.
Some carriers have suggested cutting airline taxes or costly eco-fuel mandates. But ministers have dismissed these possibilities.
Ms Alexander has already booked her holiday. She said: ‘I’m flying with TUI in August to a Greek island and I’m very much looking forward to it.’
Like millions of others, she will hope the crisis is averted by then.
