UK airlines given green light to cancel or consolidate flights to conserve jet fuel

UK airlines have been given leeway to cancel or consolidate flights at least two weeks in advance if jet fuel supplies tighten this summer, as Middle East disruption keeps pressure on European fuel markets. The government says the move is designed to prevent last-minute cancellations and avoid airlines running near-empty aircraft just to protect airport slots. The UK imports about 65% of its jet fuel, much of it sourced from the Middle East, and officials cited fears that Europe could be left with only a few weeks of supply. Transport and aviation authorities met with Heathrow, Gatwick, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet last Thursday to coordinate contingency planning. For precious metals, the read-through is indirect: escalating energy and transport disruption keeps broader geopolitical risk elevated and may reinforce safe-haven bid support for gold if fuel shortages widen into a more material European growth/inflation shock. Near-term attention will stay on developments around the Strait of Hormuz and any follow-through policy response from UK/EU authorities.