Top airline boss issues horror warning about the future of holidays | UK | News

Holidays could become much more expensive if rising costs continue to negatively impact the industry, an airline boss has warned. Gediminas Ziemelis, owner of Lithuanian aviation company Avia Solutions Group, said airlines around the world are facing increasing pressure from rising fuel prices and weakening demand amid conflicts in the Middle East.

Fuel is one of airlines’ largest expenses, accounting for nearly a quarter of total operating costs. Prices have risen dramatically since the conflict began; This led to increased fares and forced carriers to rethink routes and schedules. While decreasing bookings, rising oil costs and grounded aircraft are already having negative effects, Ziemelis warned that the situation could deteriorate rapidly. “If (the war) continues for more than a month, we could see potential first bankruptcies of airlines around the world,” he said.

Major airlines are already passing the costs on to passengers. Australia’s Qantas Airways, for example, said fuel prices, which have risen by up to 150 percent in recent weeks, were “increasing costs across the Group”, while other carriers confirmed ticket increases.

Ziemelis also warned that demand for travel in Europe is weakening at a time when airlines are preparing for a typically busy summer season, AFP reported.

Bookings are “significantly lower” than in previous years and industry experts say uncertainty is now shaping travel plans, with airlines “increasingly moving on” as conditions change rapidly.

Aviation consultant Keith Tonkin said carriers were reviewing flights on a weekly basis and disruption was likely to continue in the short term.

He said: “There is definitely some uncertainty. At the moment the problems seem to be getting bigger rather than smaller.”

As fares increase, airlines may be wary of raising prices too high. Tonkin warned that excessively high costs could deter travelers altogether and lead to more cancellations.

Travel expert Angus Kidman added Although it is unlikely that cheap flights will return anytime soon, it is stated that airlines cannot maintain high prices indefinitely due to competition.

While the outlook for summer holidays becomes increasingly uncertain as the crisis continues, travelers are being asked to expect higher costs and possible disruptions for now.