Warning higher Europe air fares 'inevitable' due to Iran war

Higher ticket prices for air travellers in Europe are "inevitable" because of the high cost of jet fuel, according to the head of the International Air Transport Association. Although some airlines have cut their European fares recently because of a lack of demand, Willie Walsh said there was no way airlines could absorb the extra costs over time. He told the BBC there was still concern the industry in the UK could face shortages of fuel over the summer, although he insisted there was no need to panic. However, he noted that even if the Strait of Hormuz were reopened tomorrow, the impact of disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East could still be felt into next year. A government spokesperson said UK airlines were "clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel". The closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the conflict in Iran has had a dramatic impact on jet fuel prices and raised concerns about possible shortages in the months to come. Europe, and the UK in particular, are usually highly reliant on imports from the region, and have been scrambling to find alternative supplies. Last week, for example, the EU said there was no regulatory reason wh