Impact of the Iran war proves complicating for agents as Europe and Asia concerned about jet fuel shortages
Travel agents in this country are keeping their fingers crossed that the latest Middle East conflict will end soon, with that fighting leading to readjustments in the travel industry and raising concerns, including fears that European and Asian airports may begin running out of aviation fuel during the peak summer tourism season in Europe.
Fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran has already led to a number of complications for the travel industry, with oil prices having risen dramatically in the past seven weeks, and Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet subsequently deciding to suspend some routes.
“I think we are all concerned about the rising fuel costs and possible shortages. In our everyday lives we see it with the rising cost of fuel at our local gas stations. I don’t book a lot of Europe but I have noticed that flight prices have been increasing over the past few weeks. Hopefully the conflict will be resolved shortly and fuel shipments will start moving prior to any shortages,” said Tasha Walsh of Destinations Await in Calgary.
Walsh said it’s not surprising that some carriers have suspended some routes.
“I think the airlines are being cautious and responsible with the suspension of routes,” she continued. “While Air Canada cut the route to JFK they still have routes going to several of the other airports in the New York area. It can be an inconvenience to travellers. However, I hope they see it as temporary and a way to conserve resources till fuel production and costs have stabilized.”
Walsh noted she’s had a few clients inquire about the additional fuel surcharges that the airlines have imposed.
“However they don’t seem to be phased by the additional charges,” she noted. “It’s more a concern if they pay the fuel surcharge now will it increase again prior to their final payment. If that is the case will they have to pay more.”
Meanwhile, Pat Probert of Toronto’s Bob Family Travel Team at TravelOnly reported that the agency is closely monitoring bookings and flights to Europe in light of concerns about Europe’s supply of aviation fuel.
“Agents need to keep monitoring flights, surcharges and deadlines for cruises and hotels so they can make informed decisions in the best interest of their clients and keep clients well informed. Some days it is a never-ending job but doing what is always best for clients is the best thing any agent can do,” said Probert, himself planning on being on TravelOnly President’s trip on an AmaWaterways Europe sailing in August.
“Currently clients are not balking at the fuel surcharges. However if things change and the increase of space becomes limited and prices for flights go up which is very likely it might become an issue,” he added.
Probert is booking refundable hotels for himself and clients because of possible cancellations and also opting for refundable flights for those who have not booked yet for the many cruises he has booked in the past couple of years.
Toronto-area Trevello agent Sheila Aue said she and colleagues are nervously watching developments.
“Agents are very concerned about the news out of Europe regarding the fuel shortage,” she reported. “Most agents are taking a wait-and-see approach and hoping that things will settle before things get worse. It’s all that can be done at this point. Agents will have to work their magic as they always do to help their clients maneuver around whatever situation will arise.”
Ethel Hansen Davey of Uniglobe Enterprise Travel in Toronto warned the worst may be yet to come in terms of rising costs.
“The general consensus seems to be, book it now because the prices will only go up more and if the airline has to cancel the flight, they have to refund,” she said. “Of course this is a pain for travel agents for a few reasons, such as extra work, mainly unpaid, and commission recalls.
“We just need to get some reasonable leaders in the war-mongering countries so that we don’t need to deal with this horrible stuff.”
The fighting forced Hansen Davey to reschedule some clients bound for Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, Probert said the current situation underscores the need for travellers to buy travel insurance.
