During this morning’s instalment of Sky News, hosted by Sophy Ridge, there was a breaking news alert about jet fuel supply problems as she interviewed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden. Ridge began: “What are our supplies of jet fuel – how worried should we be?” The Labour minister replied: “Well, historically, we’ve had a lot of jet fuel from the Middle East, so we have to source that from elsewhere, whether that is the United States or other countries.
“Airlines will do everything they can to do that. But these are the ripple effects if you like of something we are not part of and did not choose to be part of. But then again, to come back to my point on levelling with viewers, we cannot escape the consequences.
“The point is the Government will do everything we can to help…” The Sky News host interjected, saying: “We could see more flights being cut and cancelled, that’s the reality?”
However, he said he did not want to predict anything before adding: “I think airlines know there’s a problem, these are experienced businesses, and they source wherever they can.
“They will try to find alternative supplies if supplies are not available from the usual Middle East sources.”
The interview comes as airlines across the globe have been cancelling flights while grappling a severe jet fuel crunch caused by soaring prices and tight supply.
Since the war in Iran began at the end of February, fuel costs have skyrocketed – jumping from roughly $85 to $90 per barrel to as high as $120.
Viewers commented on the announcement, with one writing on X: “Inflation is up, everything is getting more expensive, and Labour are not helping at all.”
A second added: “Now the bill is here — higher fuel prices, jet fuel shortages, and pain for UK families. Time to stop the hand-wringing and support finishing the job against the regime that’s causing this chaos.”
A third said: “That’s interesting, as @RachelReevesMP told conservative MP @DrBenSpencer in HOC yesterday during the ‘economy’ update, it is currently not reporting any challenges! Will she return to correct the record?”