Is the war in Iran causing jet fuel shortages? - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Flights get cancelled for all sorts of reasons under normal circumstances. But as I say, the longer this goes on, the more likely it is that we'll see cancellations because the airlines are worried about running out of fuel. Are flights more likely to be cancelled, if you're flying with a low cost or a budget airline, and is there a difference if it's long haul versus short haul? Hello everyone, and welcome aboard this episode of What in the World from the BBC World Service. This is your captain speaking. I'm Hannah Gelbart, and today we're talking about jet fuel. It has been a bumpy ride and loads of you have been asking what the rising price of jet fuel means for your flights and holidays this year. That's because since the war in Iran started a few months ago, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked and it's one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes. So global supplies of oil have been severely disrupted. Jet fuel prices more than doubled after the war began, and the cost of some plane tickets has gone up dramatically. You have been sending in loads of questions about this, and today we're going to get some answers from Emer Moreau, who is a BBC business reporter and our co-pilot here today. Welcome to the programme. Thank you very much. So first question lots of people want to know, is jet fuel running out or is it just getting more expensive now? It's more expensive because of the possibility of it running out if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed for much longer. Jet fuel is basically a type of kerosene which is made from crude oil. And as long as the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, the possibility of airline jet fuel stocks basically running low is is a possibility. There're no shortages now. Flights aren't being cancelled because the airlines physically don't have fuel. But the longer this situation goes on in the Middle East, the more of a possibility that is. And that's pushing the price up. Talking about planes, being pilots ourselves, plane food, love it or hate it. I think by the time I get on the plane, I'm just hungry enough that I'll eat anything. Oh, I know I can be picky. I can be very picky. Back to the more serious stuff though.