British holidaymakers have been warned to expect hundreds of last-minute flight cancellations this summer due to the ongoing jet fuel crisis.
At least 13,000 flights – representing two million fewer seats – have been cancelled worldwide by airlines already this month.
But only 120 flights from the UK to global destinations have been cancelled for the month of May and 36 in June so far, according to data shared with The i Paper by aviation analysts Cirium, with experts saying cuts are expected to grow.
Cirium said more flights are set to be culled in June and July as the conflict in Iran drags on, fuelling higher prices for jet fuel.
Flights to popular holiday destinations such as Spain and Italy, where airlines run several services a day, are thought to be particularly at risk as passengers can be moved onto alternative flights.
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Caption: Undated handout composite photo issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of Chung Biu Yuen (left), 65, a former Hong Kong police officer currently working at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and Chi Leung Wai, 40, a former UK Border Force officer and special constable with the City of London Police. Both individuals were convicted under the National Security Act 2023 following a trial at the Old Bailey. Issue date: Thursday May 7, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: CPS/PA Wire
NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: CPS
Provider: CPS/PA Wire
Source: PA
CRIME
UK immigration officer among two guilty of working for Chinese intelligence
A Border Force official and a retired Hong Kong police officer have been found guilty of conducting “shadow policing” operations for China on British soil.
What you need to know
Dual Chinese-British nationals Peter Wai, 38, and Bill Yuen, 65, were convicted of assisting a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act. Wai was also convicted of misconduct in a public office by searching the Home Office computer system for people of interest to Hong Kong authorities.
Caption: Chung Biu Yuen arrives at the Old Bailey court, during a trial where he and co-defendant Chi Leung Wai are accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Exclusive
4 min read
A closer look at the detail
The jury, which deliberated for 23 hours and 38 minutes, was discharged after failing to reach a verdict against the defendants in respect of a charge of foreign interference by forcing entry into the Pontefract home of alleged fraud suspect Monica Kwong on 1 May 2024.
Caption: Chung Biu Yuen arrives at the Old Bailey court, during a trial where he and co-defendant Chi Leung Wai are accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Chi Leung Wai arrives at the Old Bailey on March 02, 2026 in London, England. Chi Leung (Peter) Wai and Chung Biu Yuen have been charged under the National Security Act with assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service and foreign interference, for allegedly agreeing to undertake information gathering, surveillance, and acts of deception. A third man, a Home Office immigration officer and former Royal Marine, Matthew Trickett, had also been charged, but was found dead in Maidenhead in May 2024. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
Photographer: Jack Taylor
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
The prosecution announced the Crown would not seek a retrial and the defendants were remanded into custody to be sentenced on a date to be fixed on 15 May.
Who were their targets?
Wai worked for Border Force at Heathrow Airport having formerly been in the Royal Navy.
He had gathered intelligence on the orders of ex-Hong Kong superintendent Yuen, who was a senior manager at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) in London.
Targets included Hong Kong dissidents and protesters living in the UK – with “special attention” paid to politicians including Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
Analysis
8 min read
Demand for second-hand motors remains exceptionally high
MOTORING
The ‘sweet spot’ to look out for when buying a used car
A car stops feeling ‘nearly new’ but still drives like one.
Experts say this is the tipping point where second-hand cars drop significantly in price, but are still in good condition, making them excellent value for money.
After three or four years cars drop in price
Analysis by AA cars shows that used cars are significantly cheaper after three years than two, with some dropping almost £4,000 in price overnight.
This is because a wave of brand new cars will have been released, pushing down the value of each generation of older cars. Warrantees often expire around this time too.
BUSINESS
2 min read
OPINION
2 min read
How much could you save?
Peugeots and Fords offer biggest savings
Peugeot 3008 – 19.4% drop
From £18,603 to £14,989 for a three-year-old car.
Toyota Prius – 28.1% drop
From £15,685 to £11,280 for a four-year-old car.
LIFESTYLE
6 min read
It’s a good time to buy
Three and four years is the sweet spot where a car stops feeling ‘nearly new’ in the market, even if it still drives like one…Check service history, tyres and brakes, run an HPI check, and ask why it is being sold. If it is hybrid, ask for battery health and recall history.
ROHIT PARMAR-MISTRY, FOUNDER OF DATA COMPNAY PATTRN
Caption: A sign reads “Cars Wanted 4 Cash” outside an independent second-hand car dealership in Leigh-on-Sea, U.K., on Monday, April 29, 2013. European car sales are sliding to a 20-year low after German concerns over the debt crisis sent demand plunging last month in the region’s biggest economy and removed the main buffer protecting automakers. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Photographer: Bloomberg
Provider: Bloomberg via Getty Images
Source: Bloomberg
news
How German tourist won £850 payout for losing sun lounger race
Amenities like pools at hotels can often come with an added – and unexpected – resort fee
(Photo: Westend6/Getty Images)
A father has won a court battle with his package holiday provider after failing to secure a sunbed at his hotel in Greece, despite spending 20 minutes a day looking. The loungers had all been reserved with towels in the early morning.
Judge rules in favour of tourist
The unnamed man told a court in Hanover he got up at 6am to try and get sunbeds for his family, but found other tourists had beaten him to it. His children were forced to lie on the floor as a result.
The hotel had banned towel-reserving, but didn’t enforce the policy – the man said this meant he was due a refund.
The practice of ‘reserving’ poolside sunloungers is highly contentious (Photo: clubfoto/Getty Images)
Analysis
6 min read
How the case unfolded
Empty sun loungers line the beach in Lardos, Rhodes, on 29 July, after the wildfires (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty)
The man, who paid €7,186 for his holiday, said it was “defective”.
The provider initially agreed to pay him €350 but he wasn’t happy.
The judge took his side and ordered the travel operator to pay €986.70.
TRAVEL
7 min read
Sun bed wars
The so-called “dawn dash” or “sun bed wars” have long been a problem on package holidays, with some providers such as Thomas Cook even offering the option to reserve a lounger poolside for a fee.
Cruise ships docked near Great Bay beach in St Martin (Photo: onfilm/Getty Images)
Spain is looking at changing its ‘golden visa’ scheme that offers three-year residency to investors in property or business (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
The practice is frowned upon, with 71 per cent of Germans believing their fellow countrymen to be the worst culprits. But tourists from the UK also think that other Brits are the biggest offenders.
politics
Inside the Green Party fallout over Polanski antisemitism row
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, with party supporters during campaigning in Cardiff for the Senedd election. The Greens are expected to make substantial gains in elections across the UK on Thursday (Photo: Jon Rowley/Getty)
Insiders say a sense of unease and panic has overcome the party, with canvassers facing backlash on the doorstep in the final days leading up to today’s election. There is particular concern over their leaders’ handling of the issue.
Candidates arrested
Caption: A sign supporting the Green Party political party is displayed in a residential street on the eve of local and mayoral elections in England and devolved parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland on May 7, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Two Lambeth Green candidates were arrested for their social media.
More antisemitic posts have been unearthed by Labour.
The party has tightened up vetting procedures in response.
POLITICS
3 min read
Campaigners fear scrutiny
There is a sense of unease in the party because people aren’t used to having the full weight of the Labour Party briefing against us. There’s a bit of worry in terms of how we are responding to the accusations, but I think Zack was clear that our vetting process hasn’t been good enough.
a source within the green party
Caption: A Green Party political sign put up by the householder to show support ahead of local council elections in London, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Photographer: Alastair Grant
Provider: AP
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
What did Polanski do?
In the wake of the Golders Green stabbings last weekend, the Green leader reposted a video of the attacker’s arrest, criticising the Metropolitan Police for using excessive force. His post sparked outrage.
Green leader Zack Polanski campaigning in Lambeth , south London last month. He told the BBC the messages by candidates accused of antisemitism were ‘unacceptable’ (Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP)
Green Party posters on display in Hackney. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
He has since apologised for the post, telling the BBC that the Green Party is “anti-racist” and that vetting procedures would be improved “to make it clear that antisemitism is completely unwelcome in the Green Party, as it is in society”.
Poll watch
Number of Brits with an unfavourable view of Polanski
47%
This is up from 39 per cent before his post, according to YouGov.
The Greens are still riding high in the polls ahead of today’s elections though.
555
The number of seats the party is predicted to win in today’s elections.
Voting intention has not changed perceptibly since the antisemitism row.
Towie star dies in Majorca in ‘tragic accident’
Jake Hall, 35, was found dead
at his rented villa this morning, having sustained serious head injuries from smashed glass, reports claim.
Caption: 516274694
Photographer: SamanthaJ
Copyright: GC Images
What we know
The Civil Guard in Palma are investigating Hall’s death, who was on holiday at the time. Police are said to be investigating the theory that he died after “hitting his head against the glass door”.
No arrests have been made but four men and women who were staying at the hotel have been interviewed.
CULTURE
3 min read
TELEVISION
3 min read
Who was Jake Hall?
The model and footballer shot to fame after appearing on the reality show The Only Way is Essex in 2015, quitting in 2024.
He had a child with fellow reality star Missé Beqiri of The Real Housewives of Cheshire in 2017, and the pair were in an on-and-off relationship. He had a second home in Majorca and often spent time there.
Caption: 513608052
Photographer: SamanthaJ
Copyright: GC Images
WORLD
2 min read
Everything you can
and can’t do in a
polling station
Heading to the polls for the
local elections today? Here’s everything you need to make
sure you’re able to vote, and
some dos and don’ts for when
you get there
Caption: Flaeda the poodle, named after the eldest daughter of Alfred the Great, poses for a picture outside a polling station in London, Thursday, May 7, 2026 as she waits for her owner during the UK 2026 local elections.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Photographer: Kirsty Wigglesworth
Provider: AP
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
What do I need to bring?
You must bring photo ID to vote in England
In Scotland and Wales, you won’t need to show ID to vote.
Polling card
You don’t need to bring this with you, but it might speed up the process.
Pen or pencil
These will be provided though you can bring your own if you wish.
NEWS
4 min read
Who can I bring with me?
Children are allowed into the polling station with you, though they shouldn’t write on your ballot paper. Pets usually have to be left outside, except assistance dogs,
Caption: A dog named Obi-Wan Kenobi outside the St James Church polling station in Edinburgh as voters arrive to cast their votes in the 2026 Holyrood elections. Picture date: Thursday May 7, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Nick Forbes/PA Wire
Photographer: Nick Forbes
Provider: Nick Forbes/PA Wire
Source: PA
Caption: Men and their dogs look at signs outside the polling station at St James Church hall in Inverleith, Edinburgh, as voters start to cast their votes in the 2026 Holyrood elections. Picture date: Thursday May 7, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Photographer: Jane Barlow
Provider: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Source: PA
If you are disabled, you can bring someone with you to help you vote as long as they are over 18 – they do not need to be registered to vote. Polling station staff can also help you, and you are allowed to bring your phone into the polling booth as an accessibility aid.
A closer look at the dos and don’ts
The polished glass back is highly reflective, but doesn’t appear to attract as many grubby fingerprints as its rivals (Photo: i)
Taking selfies
Taking a photo or video in the ballot booth is illegal, as your vote is meant to be secret.
Political discussions
Campaigning isn’t allowed so don’t speak about candidates or wear political slogans.
Caption: Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey (centre), MP for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, and MP for Dorking and Horley, Chris Coghlan, surrounded by supporters during a party rally at Redhill Memorial Park in Surrey, on the last day of campaigning ahead of the local elections on Thursday. Picture date: Wednesday May 6, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Photographer: Andrew Matthews
Provider: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Source: PA
Nigel Farage with Reform UK candidate Trevor Shonk whilst canvassing for voters ahead of local elections, in Ramsgate, Kent on Thursday (Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP)
Drinking
People who have been drinking or are drunk can vote, unless they are disruptive.
Know your rights
You don’t have to vote, so there’s no reason for you to turn up at the polling station if you don’t intend to do so. If you do go, it’s worth knowing that:
You are entitled to spoil your ballot paper, for example by writing a message in protest . This will be recorded.
Don’t put your name on your ballot paper – If you do it won’t be counted as it’s meant to be anonymous
“Tellers” – volunteers on behalf of candidates – will sometimes stand outside polling stations and ask for your polling card number so they can remind people who haven’t voted to do so. You don’t have to give them your information.
Caption: A group of commuter trains sit in a railway siding in London, U.K. Photographer: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg
Photographer: Bloomberg Creative
Provider: Getty Images/Bloomberg Creative
Source: Bloomberg Creative Photos
TRAVEL
Train passengers warned of ‘major disruption’
Train services across southern England are being disrupted by a fault with a radio system. National Rail Enquiries said the issue relates to how train drivers and signallers communicate.
It warned passengers that services may be delayed by up to 45 minutes or cancelled, and “major disruption is expected until the end of the day”.
The services affected
The affected operators are CrossCountry, Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway, London Overground, Southern, South Western Railway (SWR) and Thameslink.
Exclusive
4 min read
NEWS
3 min read
A closer look at the detail
The incident was reported shortly before 9am on Thursday.
SWR warned that services across its entire network “may be cancelled, delayed by up to 90 minutes or revised”.
The operator advised passengers to consider using buses “while the fault is being investigated”.
TRAVEL
5 min read
news
Amazon delivers its first package by drone
Caption: Amazon drone delivery
Image: Amazon
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-drone-delivery-photos
The retailer has become the first in the UK to make a delivery by sky, with a pilot scheme running in Darlington, Country Durham. It hopes to slowly expand the option across the country.
Air drop
From tape measures to chocolate bars
Caption: Amazon drone delivery
Image: Amazon
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-drone-delivery-photos
A local farmer let Amazon use his land for test drives, ordering everything he could think of under the designated weight of 5lb (2.2kg) to be delivered.
Exclusive
3 min read
Demand is rising
The certainty is people have never told us they want their stuff slower. This is effectively an autonomous drone that can do what a pilot does in a flight deck. It can do what ground crews do, and it can deliver a package.
David carbon, vice president of amazon prime air
Caption: Amazon drone delivery
Image: Amazon
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-drone-delivery-photos
How does it work?
Parcels are dropped from a height of…
12ft
Amazon is using its most advanced drone, the MK30, to deliver in Darlington.
At the moment, it only works for those with gardens or backyards for the parcels to be dropped off.
170,000
The number of successful flights completed so far – but more testing is needed before they are approved for UK-wide use.
Drone delivery is already available in five US states.
The figures come amid warnings that airlines in the UK may be forced into rationing fuel due to shortages caused by the stand-off between the US and Iran.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut off about 30 per cent of Europe’s aviation fuel shipments and a rush to source scarce alternative supplies from locations including America and West Africa has led to a doubling in prices.
Frankfurt and Munich are the main routes where flights have been cancelled in the last week due to airline Lufthansa’s cull of seats.
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said airlines “will have to cancel more flights for the summer” if conflict in the strait continues.
“Airlines have been given permission by the UK Government to make changes if they need to without losing valuable slots, so you will see more cancellations if jet fuel is squeezed,” he said, referring to changes that have allowed airlines to return or consolidate take-off and landing slots without losing them for future seasons.
He added: “Cancellations are more likely on those routes with multiple frequencies as well as traditionally unprofitable routes. Airlines always use a crisis to cut routes that don’t work for them.”
Aviation analyst Sally Gethin warned that more customers could be hit with last-minute flight cancellations in the coming months.
She said: “I don’t think anybody can assume once they book their flight that it definitely is safe. The trouble is, they’re left having to sit on their hands with this because they’re not in the driving seat.”
Gethin said customers who have had flights cancelled at short notice are entitled to refunds or alternative routes, but claims for compensation could be denied if airlines successfully argue that it was an “extraordinary circumstance”.
She added: “It’s going to be corrosive. There’s no end in sight to oil supplies restarting in the Middle East and, however you slice and dice it, the UK and Europe are heavily reliant on that region for jet fuel.”
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said: “If the current conflict continues, the pressure for jet fuel will mean that airlines that struggle to source alternate supplies will result in additional flights being nixed.”
He said seasonal and low-demand regional flights could be cut sooner, as well as long-haul flights that require more jet fuel to operate.