Tourists to endure up to eight WEEKS of travel chaos as airlines axe flights

Tourists to endure up to eight WEEKS of travel chaos as airlines axe flightsAirlines could face 'an existential crisis' in just a few weeks' time if the Strait of Hormuz crisis continues, an aviation expert has said, amid warnings that more flights could be cancelledCommentsNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter15:28, 17 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesAirlines could face an 'existential crisis' in the next few weeks, experts have warned(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)British tourists could face up to eight weeks of cancelled flights and airport chaos this summer as major airlines grapple with imminent fuel shortages, experts have warned.‌European giants KLM and Lufthansa announced yesterday that they would be axing hundreds of flights due to the soaring cost of jet fuel - while Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), warned that European airports have only "six weeks or so" of supply left due to shortages caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis.‌The warnings have new sparked fears of disruption just before the busy summer holiday season, with airlines set to slash more routes and cut back on schedules if the crisis goes on.‌READ MORE: EasyJet boss warns of summer price hike after £25million hit from jet fuel costsREAD MORE: KLM and Lufthansa CANCEL hundreds of flights as fuel cost soar amid Iran warView 3 ImagesSoaring jet fuel prices have already forced some European airlines to cut back on flights (file photo)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)One aviation expert said that the period between now and mid-June could prove crucial, as airlines could face an "existential crisis" if the global oil shock has not by subsided by then.Sally Gethin told the Daily Mail: "The worst case scenario is if this carries on for six to eight weeks and the shortages start really biting. This could pose an existential crisis to airlines - even if they slap on fuel surcharges they still won't recoup the cost....