UK airport running low on fuel as shortage threatens flights

Holiday Plans at Risk

One of Europe's busiest single-runway airports, Gatwick is a key departure point for package holidays and charter flights, and typically handles its heaviest traffic in August.

The shortage at the UK's second-busiest airport has raised concerns that departures could be delayed or cancelled during one of the year's busiest travel periods, with long-haul flights said to be under the most threat.

It is the latest in a summer of headaches for UK passengers, following a recent summer holiday warning to travellers over airport readiness.

It comes following a report from The Sun who had seen a memo sent to staff which warned: “For attention of all crews: Gatwick has a shortage of fuel for the next two days.

“Please uplift max possible fuel at outstations.”

Another “emergency” notification issued to aviation bosses told of “potential disruption to the Gatwick fuel supply”.

Meanwhile, one senior source at a Gatwick-based airline told The Sun: “The fuel shortage will affect all airlines.

“Long-haul flights are under the most threat.

“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.

“Most flights beyond 2.5 hours will still need extra fuel in Gatwick.

“The fuel shortage warning came with many long-haul flights already enroute to the UK, meaning crews were unable to bring extra fuel with them.

“Pilots will be trying to supplement as much fuel as they can down-route to protect the long-haul flights and stretch out supply.

“The longer the fuel shortage lasts, the tighter it will get. It means there is a good chance of disruption, particularly Monday onwards.”

What the Gatwick Airport fuel shortage means for travellers

Passengers due to fly from the Sussex hub have been urged to check the status of their flights directly with their airline before setting off.

The scale of the problem, and how long it may last, remained unclear on Monday morning as the story developed.

With schools broken up for the holidays and airports braced for record numbers, any prolonged disruption at Gatwick could ripple across the UK's summer travel plans.