Gatwick Airport has issued a warning to airlines about a potential fuel shortage in the coming days, which is likely to cause disruption to easyJet and British Airways flights
Holidaymakers preparing to jet off could face significant disruption after a major UK airport issued a warning over potential fuel shortages in the coming days.
Gatwick Airport has alerted pilots to a jet fuel supply issue that is expected to affect flights departing from the hub.
The potential shortage could hit easyJet and British Airways passengers as the peak summer travel season continues, with Wizz Air, TUI, and Jet2 also likely to feel the impact.
The notice issued by Gatwick cautioned airlines: “For the attention of all crews: Gatwick has a shortage of fuel for the next two days.
“Please uplift max possible fuel at outstations.”
A further memo flagged a “potential disruption to the Gatwick fuel supply”.
An airline insider told The Sun: “Pilots will try and take on as much fuel as they can from their foreign destinations to bring back to the UK, but they will be limited by factors such as the maximum take-off weight and the maximum landing weight back at Gatwick.”
The source further warned that “disruption” is anticipated at Britain’s second busiest airport from Monday.
Short-haul carriers, including easyJet, may be less severely affected, as they are able to carry additional fuel from inbound European flights, effectively bypassing Gatwick’s pumps altogether.
Long-haul operators such as British Airways, however, could face considerably greater difficulties, particularly as certain flights will have already departed before the warning was issued.
The reported shortage is understood to stem from a technical fault at one of Gatwick’s fuel farms, rather than being linked to the continuing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson said: “Following a technical issue impacting fuel supply to the airport, airlines have been advised to monitor fuel availability.
“We are working closely with external suppliers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and minimise any potential disruption. All airlines are operating as normal.”
MyLondon has reached out to easyJet and British Airways for further comment.
