London: Britain has allowed airlines to consolidate passengers from different flights onto fewer aircraft under temporary measures designed to reduce jet fuel consumption, the Department for Transport announced. The new rules permit merging flights on routes with more than one daily service to the same destination, allowing passengers to be moved to similar flights with empty seats rather than operating underbooked services or those at risk of cancellation, PA Media reported.

According to Oman News Agency, the move is intended to cut fuel waste from flying aircraft well below capacity and improve operational efficiency for airlines. The opposition Conservative Party criticised the measures, arguing that passengers could be shifted to different flights without having a choice. The department said the changes are also aimed at improving schedule stability and giving travellers greater confidence that flights will run as planned.

The measures come amid growing warnings of possible jet fuel shortages as the holiday season approaches, driven by supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and their impact on Middle East fuel supplies.