Concerned about how the Middle East conflict or jet fuel shortages could affect your holiday? Read our latest travel guide for updates, travel advice and information on what support may be available if your plans change.
Some Holidaymakers are understandably concerned about reports of potential jet fuel shortages. Many travellers are also worried about airline schedule changes and disruption to summer travel plans.
With ongoing instability in the Middle East affecting global fuel supplies, some travellers are now asking:
- Will my flight be cancelled?
- Is it still safe to book a holiday?
- What happens if someone in my group can no longer travel?
- Will Travel Insurance help if plans change unexpectedly?
The good news is that holidays are still going ahead, airports remain operational and airlines continue to fly. However, the current situation has highlighted how quickly travel plans can change – and why having the right Travel Insurance in place matters.
Understanding what’s happening – and how to protect yourself financially – can help you travel with confidence.
Why are there concerns about jet fuel shortages?
The current concerns stem from disruption to global oil and fuel supply chains linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and aviation fuel – has seen major disruption in recent months. This has placed pressure on global fuel supplies and increased costs for airlines around the world.
As a result, some airlines have already:
- Reduced flight schedules
- Adjusted routes
- Introduced fuel surcharges
- Warned of possible delays and cancellations during peak summer travel
While there is no widespread grounding of flights in the UK, the aviation industry is preparing for continued disruption if fuel pressures remain throughout summer 2026.
How AllClear is helping customers during the current travel challenges
We understand that changing flight schedules and fuel concerns may leave some travellers feeling uncertain about their holiday plans. To help provide extra reassurance, AllClear has introduced a number of temporary support measures designed to make travelling a little easier if plans unexpectedly change.
While fuel shortages themselves are not usually covered under standard Travel Insurance policies, we’ve taken steps to offer customers greater flexibility and support where possible.
These temporary measures include:
- Automatic 7-day extensions to your policy at no extra cost if delays prevent you from returning home as planned
- The option to move your travel dates by up to 7 days free of charge
- Extended rebooking flexibility, allowing trips to be moved up to 12 months from the date of purchase
- Enhanced stopover protection, with stopover cover automatically increased from 24 to 48 hours if longer delays affect your journey
Our focus is on helping customers navigate changing travel conditions with as little stress as possible, while continuing to review how we can best support travellers as the situation develops.
What has the UK Government said about the situation?
The UK Government has moved to reassure travellers that there is currently no need to cancel or change holiday plans.
In its latest guidance, the Government stated:
“There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans.”
Officials also stressed that UK airlines typically purchase jet fuel in advance and that airports maintain fuel stocks to support resilience across the aviation network.
The Government added that it is:
“working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.”
Travellers are still being advised to:
- Check airline updates before travelling
- Review FCDO travel advice
- Ensure they have appropriate Travel Insurance in place
The Government also confirmed that flight cancellations currently remain relatively low.
According to Cirium data, only 0.53% of the UK’s planned flights for May 2026 have been cancelled. Department for Transport analysis also found that around 1,200 flights departing the UK were cancelled between 3 May and 14 June 2026, representing less than 1% of planned flights during that period.
Most schedule reductions have reportedly affected destinations closer to the Middle East due to ongoing regional tensions.
What are your rights if your flight is cancelled?
While the current level of cancellations remains low, it’s understandable that many travellers want reassurance about what happens if plans do change unexpectedly.
The good news is that passengers in the UK have strong legal protections if a flight is cancelled.
Depending on your journey, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund
- An alternative flight to your destination
These rights generally apply if:
- Your flight departs from a UK airport on any airline
- Your flight arrives in the UK on a UK or EU airline
- Your flight arrives in the EU on a UK airline
If your flight is affected, your first step should be to contact your:
- Airline
- Travel provider
- Tour operator
They’ll be able to explain your options and help you understand what support is available based on your individual booking.
How is the Government helping airlines reduce disruption?
The Government is also introducing temporary measures to help airlines manage disruption more effectively.
One of the biggest changes involves airport slot rules. Normally, airlines must use at least 80% of their airport slots to retain them for future seasons. This is commonly known as the “use it or lose it” rule.
However, Airport Coordination Limited has updated guidance so airlines affected by fuel disruption can apply for exemptions without losing their slots.
The Government is also reviewing temporary measures that would allow airlines to:
- Consolidate schedules
- Reduce duplicate flights
- Better manage passenger demand
- Minimise unnecessary fuel usage
The aim is to reduce disruption while helping airlines maintain operational stability throughout the busy summer season.
What does this mean for your holiday?
For most travellers, holidays will continue as planned. However, flexibility is becoming increasingly important.
Travellers may experience:
- Schedule changes
- Delayed departures
- Route adjustments
- Higher fares
- Increased pressure at airports during busy periods
This is especially important for:
- Families travelling during school holidays
- Cruise passengers
- Group bookings
- Travellers with connecting flights
- People travelling with medical conditions
While airlines are working to minimise disruption, the current environment means travellers should prepare carefully before departure.
Martin Lewis warns travellers to choose the right Travel Insurance
MoneySavingExpert founder, Martin Lewis, has also issued a warning for anyone travelling with friends or family as part of a group booking.
Speaking on ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show, he warned travellers to think carefully before buying separate individual Travel Insurance policies for group trips.
He explained that if one traveller cannot go, separate solo policies may not protect the wider group financially.
Martin Lewis said:
“If there’s a large group of friends going, you often all get independent travel insurance. Well, then if one can’t go or and you can’t all go on the trip, it’s only the person who’s got that cover.”
He advised travellers to consider a group Travel Insurance policy instead, particularly where:
- Multiple travellers are financially linked
- Accommodation is shared
- Flights are booked together
- One cancellation could affect everyone
He also repeated one of his biggest pieces of travel advice: Get Travel Insurance “ASAB” – As Soon As You Book.
Why buying Travel Insurance early matters
Many travellers assume Travel Insurance only matters once they arrive abroad. In reality, one of the most valuable parts of a policy is cancellation protection before your trip even begins.
Unexpected situations can happen at any time, including:
- Illness
- Pregnancy complications
- Family emergencies
- Medical diagnoses
- Travel disruption
- Airline cancellations
Without Travel Insurance already in place, travellers may not be protected for:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Excursions
- Cruise bookings
- Pre-paid activities
This is particularly important during periods of uncertainty within the travel industry. Martin Lewis highlighted this directly when discussing travellers who delay purchasing cover:
“Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen before then that stop you going.”
Why buying Travel Insurance early matters
Many travellers assume Travel Insurance only matters once they arrive abroad. In reality, one of the most valuable parts of a policy is cancellation protection before your trip even begins.
Unexpected situations can happen at any time, including:
- Illness
- Pregnancy complications
- Family emergencies
- Medical diagnoses
- Travel disruption
- Airline cancellations
Without Travel Insurance already in place, travellers may not be protected for:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Excursions
- Cruise bookings
- Pre-paid activities
This is particularly important during periods of uncertainty within the travel industry. Martin Lewis highlighted this directly when discussing travellers who delay purchasing cover:
“Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen before then that stop you going.”
Group Travel Insurance could be worth considering
If you’re travelling with family or friends, it’s worth thinking carefully about how your Travel Insurance is set up, especially if your plans are closely linked.
For example, if:
- You’re sharing accommodation
- Flights have been booked together
- One person organising the trip
- Or the whole group would cancel if one traveller couldn’t go
then a group Travel Insurance policy may offer better protection and greater peace of mind.
This can be particularly helpful for:
- Family holidays
- Friendship groups
- Cruise holidays
- Wedding trips
- Multi-generational travel
Having everyone covered under one policy can also make things simpler if you ever need to make a claim. It can help streamline:
- Cancellation protection
- Paperwork and documentation
- Medical declarations
- Communication during the claims process
Most importantly, it may help protect the wider group financially if one traveller’s circumstances affect the holiday for everyone else.
This can be especially useful when:
- One traveller has a medical condition
- Children are part of the booking
- Older relatives are travelling
- Accommodation or transport costs are shared across the group
As Martin Lewis recently warned, separate individual policies do not always protect the rest of the group if one person unexpectedly cannot travel.
What should travellers do now?
If you already have a holiday booked, there’s currently no advice suggesting you need to cancel your trip because of jet fuel concerns.
Most holidays are still going ahead as planned, and the Government has stressed that disruption levels remain relatively low. However, with airlines making occasional schedule changes, it’s sensible to stay informed and prepared before you travel.
A few simple steps can help give you greater peace of mind:
- Keep an eye on updates from your airline before departure
- Allow a little extra time when travelling through airports
- Check what your Travel Insurance policy includes
- Buy Travel Insurance as soon as you book your trip
- Make sure all medical conditions are declared accurately
If you’re travelling with family or friends, it’s also worth checking that your policy reflects how your trip has been booked – particularly if accommodation, flights or costs are shared across the group.
Travel disruption doesn’t have to ruin your holiday
While headlines about jet fuel shortages and flight disruption may sound worrying, the vast majority of holidays are still going ahead as planned.
The current situation is really a reminder of how quickly travel plans can change. That’s why being prepared matters. By staying informed, choosing the right Travel Insurance and arranging cover as soon as you book, you can help protect both your holiday and your finances if the unexpected happens.
And if you’re travelling with family or friends, taking the time to make sure your policy reflects your trip properly could make a huge difference if plans suddenly change.