The outlook for air travel remains mixed with one major European carrier saying it will maintain its full planned flight schedule as moves towards a potential Middle East peace deal emerge again.
Oil prices remain volatile, rising again after falling earlier this week following the US’ one-page memo outlining a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of US blockades.
While there have been no further attacks on the UAE following strikes on Mon, New Zealanders are still warned not to travel there or eight other countries in the area.
SafeTravel’s level four ‘do not travel’ warning remains in place although it says advice settings are always kept under ‘close review’.
. . . Fuel Update
While there have been warnings of jet fuel shortages in Europe, Spain’s Vueling says it doesn’t anticipate any disruptions to its jet fuel supply over the northern summer.
In Britain, the Department for Transport says there is no need for people to change their travel plans.
Curium data shows airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally in May in response to the doubling of jet fuel prices, although that only amounts to 1% of global flights.
In this country, latest MBIE figures show that as at early this week jet fuel stocks are at 55.1 days, 3.6 days down on a week earlier.
Under the NZ government’s all-fuel response plan, it continues to take a ‘watchful’ approach.
The prolonged conflict and soaring fuel prices are hitting airline profitability with latest Craigs research shows Air New Zealand’s increased fuel bill will push it to a $427 million loss for the financial year. NZ has trimmed its schedule over three months.
. . . No Slowdown
Saudi Arabia’s new airline Riyadh Air is continuing its global recruitment drive and has already received more than two million job applications as it works towards a full commercial launch.
The airline had been expected to begin full operations earlier this year but the timeline has shifted as it scales up staffing and infrastructure ahead of a broader rollout, reports Arabian Gulf Business Insight.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s USD1 trillion public investment fund, the airline is expanding its international recruitment drive as it seeks experienced pilots and up to 15,000 cabin crew.
“We’ve had no slowdown or impact on hiring during the regional situation,” a spokesperson says.
