US urged to boost oil exports to Britain to stop the Iran fuel crisis wrecking family holidays
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has called on the US to increase oil exports to the UK to stop the Iran fuel crisis ruining family holidays.
Addressing President Trump in an exclusive interview with the Mail on Sunday, he said: ‘Let’s work together to find a way to solve this crisis. ‘Let’s end this and find a way to get back to normal.’
He hopes the plans announced on Sunday, as well as working with “international partners”, will also prevent a “summer of discontent” and save Britain from famine caused by the war in Iran.
Ms. Alexander is creating stronger protections and new rules for travelers facing holiday cancellations so airlines can make the most of rationing flights.
He said: ‘I know how hard people save for trips abroad. I want the public to know that we have their back and that’s why we’re announcing these plans.
‘The last thing I want is for people to have last-minute disruptions and cancellations, arriving at the departure gate and not being able to leave home for the summer holidays.’
Ministers expect a difficult next few months if the war does not end and are trying to prevent family trips from being cancelled.
Airlines will be able to intensify their schedules if they operate more than one flight to the same destination on the same day.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (pictured) has called on the US to increase oil exports to the UK to stop the Iran fuel crisis ruining 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 solve this crisis. Let’s find a way to end this and get back to normal.’
This means families will know in advance if they are switching to similar services sooner; This means avoiding wasted fuel due to last-minute cancellations, delays and empty flights.
If shortages become a nuisance, airlines will be able to limit flights in a way that does not penalize them in the future; This means that passengers will know well in advance whether their flight times will change.
Families are already panicking about the looming fuel crisis ahead of summer. Google searches for fuel shortages and holidays are ‘complete’, a government source has said.
America and Iran are still at an impasse over the conflict, which has sent fuel prices soaring while the critical Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Airlines insist their supplies are stable for now, but the UK imports 60 per cent of its jet fuel through the main shipping channel. According to industry figures, there will be major disruption if it remains closed after June.
Britain is already importing more fuel from America to limit the impact. But Ms. Alexander is trying to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
He said: ‘We are dealing with a developing situation in the Middle East and I don’t have a crystal ball. But I think the right thing is for the government to plan sensibly now and not risk looking back with regret.’
Sunday’s announcement aims to anticipate these issues to prevent summer holidays from being ruined.
Although the price of jet fuel has doubled since the beginning of the war, some airlines claimed they would not increase prices.
However, if the crisis continues, they will have no choice but to victimize holidaymakers.
Some carriers have proposed reducing airline taxes or costly eco-fuel mandates. However, ministers rejected these possibilities.
Miss Alexander has already booked her holiday. He said: ‘I’m flying to a Greek island with TUI in August and I’m looking forward to it.’
Like millions of others, he hopes the crisis will be averted by then.
