EasyJet has responded to passenger concerns regarding reports of a potential 'fuel shortage' in a new update issued on social media. The airline shared the message on X after a customer with a flight booked for May to Europe asked about its jet fuel supply.

The X user, called Tash, asked EasyJet: "Hi, I’m due to fly out to Malta on May 12th, how likely is it that it’ll be cancelled due to fuel shortage?" EasyJet replied: "Thank you for reaching out. I understand your concern however, we are currently not seeing disruption to jet fuel supply and engage with fuel suppliers and government to monitor the situation."

The airline added: "We have no plans to make changes to our flying programme." Last week, a spokesperson for EasyJet also said: "We are currently seeing no disruption to flights and don’t plan to make any changes to our flying schedule."

Reports of a possible jet fuel shortage have been circulating widely online recently due to the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel access and prices. A minister has indicated that the British public might face increased prices because of the war in Iran, possibly lasting up to eight months after the fighting stops.

The closing of the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route that used to transport one-fifth of the world's oil and gas, has caused oil prices to rise dramatically since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran started.

Over the weekend, the Government urged drivers to keep filling up their cars as usual, despite higher petrol prices at the pumps, and not to change their travel plans amid fears of potential jet fuel shortages.

Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said the ongoing conflict is expected to keep pushing up prices for energy, food, and flight tickets over the next few months. This is because there might be problems with energy supplies that could impact production, but it doesn't mean there will be shortages in grocery stores.

"You’re going to see prices go up a bit as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East," he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. That’s probably going to come online not just in the next few weeks, but the next few months. There’s going to be a long tail from this."

When asked how long the higher prices might last, he said it could be about eight months after the Strait of Hormuz is opened up again and the conflict calms down. "I think our best guess is eight-plus months from the point of resolution that you’ll see economic impacts coming through the system," the minister said.

UK airlines have stated they are not currently facing a shortage of jet fuel, as they purchase it in advance and airports maintain sufficient supplies. However, the Government mentioned that it is "closely monitoring" the fuel stocks.

Airports will make it easier for airlines to cancel flights without worrying about losing their assigned "slots" – the specific take-off or landing times that some UK airports allocate to airlines – if fuel shortages prevent them from flying.

The Government is also looking to temporarily change the rules requiring airlines to operate flights that are not fully booked from UK airports, according to The Times. This change would allow airlines to adjust their flight schedules months in advance of potential fuel shortages. It also means there might be fewer flight options available, but it would help reduce disruptions and last-minute cancellations, as the paper reports.