As airlines continue to grapple with fuel supply difficulties stemming from the Middle East conflict, some flights may be disrupted or ticket prices may rise. Several energy industry leaders have suggested Europe has just six weeks' supply of jet fuel remaining. Tom Vaughan, a travel insurance expert at Confused.com, has provided guidance for passengers with summer getaways on the horizon, reports the Mirror.

He also cautioned that cancellations and delays could occur and emphasised the need to prepare in advance and understand what to do should a journey be scrapped. "For Brits planning to travel this summer, it's worth being aware that flight cancellations and delays could happen as airlines respond to operational pressures," he said.

"Disruptions like this can leave travellers unsure about their rights and what steps to take next if they are affected. The good news is that UK passengers have rights if their flight is cancelled.

"Airlines should offer a refund or an alternative flight, even if your ticket was non-refundable." Should passengers encounter disruption, Tom has outlined several steps to take.

First he advises travellers to get in touch with their airline at the earliest opportunity to establish their options, including rebooking or obtaining a refund.

He also recommends: "Keep receipts for any essential costs like food, accommodation or transport, as these may be reimbursed". Tom noted that passengers may still be entitled to assistance (such as meals or a hotel stay) while waiting for a replacement flight. "If you booked a package holiday, check if it's ATOL protected and contact your travel provider for support", he added.

The travel insurance specialist went on to advise that those who pay by credit card "may have additional protection if things don't go to plan". He also urged travellers to review their travel insurance policy and speak to their insurer to establish what additional costs they could reclaim.

He further stated that it is "always sensible" to take out travel insurance prior to travelling. "Even if you are able to claim directly via the airline, an insurer can guide you on how to make a claim," he explained.

Tom continued: "With the right policy in place, you may also be able to claim back for other parts of your holiday that were affected as a result. If you've recently experienced flight cancellations, our flight compensation guide will help to break down your options."

Inflation rose further last month as the knock-on effects from the Iran war began to impact the cost of living for UK households. The Office for National Statistics reported an annual rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation of 3.3% for March, increasing from 3% last month.

This pushed inflation to its highest point since December, with rising fuel prices playing a major role. The ONS highlighted that fuel prices were the primary area where the effects of the Iran conflict had already shown up in their figures.

While jet fuel costs have climbed, the ONS noted that air fares are calculated based on previously booked flights, meaning that the March figures were not yet affected by inflation connected to the conflict. This suggests airfare inflation is set to keep rising this year as elevated jet fuel costs are passed on to passengers.

KLM has implemented several changes to its flight timetable for the upcoming month. The airline explains: "This concerns a limited number of flights within Europe that, due to rising kerosene costs, are currently no longer financially viable to operate. There is no kerosene shortage. KLM will operate 80 fewer return flights to and from Schiphol, which is less than 1% of its European flights during that period.

"Passengers affected by these changes will be rebooked onto the next available flight. As these are destinations KLM serves multiple times a day - such as London and Düsseldorf - travellers can usually be accommodated quickly. KLM expects a busy May holiday period and is making sure passengers can travel to their holiday destinations as planned."

In a fresh statement, Lufthansa said: "The Lufthansa Group has secured ("hedged") approximately 80 per cent of its kerosene requirements for 2026 and approximately 40 per cent for 2027 based, among other things, on the price of crude oil - both at pre-crisis price levels. With this level of hedging, we are in a better position than most competitors."

Meanwhile, easyJet confirmed it is currently experiencing no disruption to its flights and has no plans to alter its flight schedule.