Holidaymakers worried as airlines cut flights and jet fuel prices soar

Travel experts have reassured Scottish holidaymakers, who are worried about travelling abroad, as airlines set out plans to cancel flights and raise ticket prices.

Many airlines around the world have had to take emergency measures to counter the rising cost of fuel, including introducing surcharges and raising checked bag fees.

With thousands of Scotland football fans expected to travel to the US in June and the school holidays starting just a few weeks later, travellers have told BBC Scotland they are anxious about potential increases in costs and cancellations.

But travel experts have said there is no need to be concerned this summer and Scots' travel plans will largely go ahead.

Jet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran as the conflict has slowed its production and transportation across the Middle East.

German airline Lufthansa announced on Tuesday it will cut 20,000 European short-haul flights over the summer, while other airlines have raised ticket prices to tackle the soaring fuel prices.

At the beginning of April the benchmark European jet fuel price hit an all-time high of $1,838 (£1,387) per tonne, compared with $831 before the war began.

"It's a triple whammy for airlines at the moment," said Tim Jeans, a former commercial director for Ryanair.

"The issues in the Middle East have caused a massive spike in the cost of fuel and that in turn is pushing up ticket prices."

He told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast that people's uncertainty around whether it was going to be possible to travel combined with the increase in prices is reducing demand and has forced airlines to decide whether flights will be profitable.

Analysts have warned that travellers should expect disruption as the conflict continues.

But Jeans was confident that holidaymakers from Scotland should not be worried.

"I don't see a situation where flights are cancelled because of the non-availability of fuel, but there may be some trimming of schedules and flight time changes" he said.

"For the most popular destinations in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France, things will be pretty much normal, albeit with a potential modest adjustment upwards in fuel cost."

Ian Western, from Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, told BBC Scotland at Aberdeen Airport that he was relaxed about his current trip to Benidorm with his family and friends.

But he said he was concerned "there could be trouble" for his summer holiday.

"Jet fuel prices will have a knock-on effect everywhere because if the price of fuel goes up and planes are cancelled, the airports will struggle as well", Western said.

The Gulf is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe's imports. The bulk of it comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed in response to US and Israeli attacks.

But travel expert Simon Calder said there were workarounds and other sources of fuel available.

"Most of the big airlines tell me they are well hedged so are paying last year's prices for this year's flights," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Mornings with Lucy Whyte.

But Western is not alone with his qualms.

On the programme one woman said she was "pretty confident" about her holiday to Mallorca this summer but was worried about the potential increases in costs as she commutes to London every fortnight for work.

"Looking from September onward, you can probably expect flights to be more expensive and there could be less choice from Scottish airports," Calder responded.

"But you are insulated this summer and I predict the vast majority of people will travel exactly as planned so there is no need to be concerned."

Another woman said she was hesitant to book accommodation for her holiday to Vietnam over fears her flights, which stopover in Doha, will be cancelled, while others asked for advice about long-haul flights to Australia and New Zealand.

Calder said holidaymakers should be flexible and not commit financially to anything until nearer the time of their holiday.

Linda Hill Miller, who owns LAH Travel in West Kilbride, said her customers were worried about flight cancellations and possible fuel surcharges but she did not think it would be a "major problem".

"My phone is ringing all the time and I'm constantly busy answering the same questions and reassuring customers," said Miller, who has worked in the travel industry for more than 40 years.

"The biggest challenge just now is consumer confidence, which has been massively dented and is at an all-time low.

"It's not just to the Middle East, people do not want to book to travel anywhere because they are absolutely terrified that they will arrange a holiday and then be hit with cancellations and massive surcharges."

She added any issues were more likely to come towards the end of the summer season but she said summer holidays were "100% on the cards".