Gatwick Airport has issued a warning regarding a potential fuel shortage during the busy summer holiday season. The airport notified pilots to refuel at other airports where possible, stating, "Gatwick has a shortage of fuel for the next two days. Please uplift max possible fuel at outstations." An additional alert indicated that airline executives should prepare for possible disruptions to the fuel supply at Gatwick.
Long-haul flights are expected to be most affected, as pilots may need to carry extra fuel from foreign destinations without exceeding weight limits. A source indicated that many long-haul flights were already en route to the UK, limiting the ability of crews to bring additional fuel. The source also noted that the longer the fuel shortage persists, the more likely disruptions will occur, particularly starting Monday.
Despite the warnings, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, stated at ABTA's Travel Matters conference that there is currently no evidence of a widespread jet fuel shortage in the UK. He mentioned that information from the government and the Department for Transport indicates that visibility of future fuel supply is good and not abnormal for airlines.