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Spain air travel row grows as airlines deny fuel crisis while others warn of shortages
Conflicting messages leave travellers unsure whether to book their flights to Spain now or wait as fuel costs surge
Airlines and aviation experts are sending very mixed signals right now, leaving holidaymakers in Spain unsure whether they should be booking flights quickly or not worrying at all.
On one hand, Spain’s airline sector is insisting that there is no immediate danger to flight operations, with strong supply chains and contracts in place to keep aircraft in the air. On the other, European industry warnings are growing louder about jet fuel availability and sharply rising costs, with suggestions that prices could keep climbing and even impact routes if tensions continue.
The Spanish Airline Association (ALA) president Javier Gándara explained this week that kerosene prices have “doubled in recent weeks” due to the conflict in Iran, but stressed that the real issue is cost rather than availability. He said supply at Spanish airports is “guaranteed” thanks to hedging contracts and domestic refining capacity, adding that “we do not anticipate any further cancellations”.
According to the ALA, only around 1.5% of air traffic would be directly affected by the current situation, with Spain also less exposed to Middle Eastern oil imports than other countries. Gándara pointed out that around 80% of aviation fuel used in Spanish airports is refined locally, which helps cushion shocks.
He also repeated advice from the industry for passengers to book early to avoid higher fares, explaining that airlines will either absorb rising costs or pass them on through ticket prices depending on their margins.
However, not everyone in the sector is as relaxed. A recent letter sent to the European Union by Ryanair, other budget carriers and ACI Europe, which represents EU airports, warned of “growing concern” over jet fuel availability. The letter called for urgent monitoring and proactive measures, suggesting that if fuel routes through key areas such as the Strait of Hormuz are not stabilised within three weeks, “systemic jet fuel shortages will become a reality for the EU”.
Adding to the uncertainty, Romà Andreu, a professor at EAE Business School, warned that some airlines without strong fuel hedging contracts are already cutting flights and facing losses. He also pointed out that “people in the sector are saying there is enough fuel for six weeks”, highlighting how unclear the real situation is.
Budget airline Volotea has already introduced a minimum €14 per passenger fuel surcharge on certain bookings, a move that has triggered criticism from consumer groups including OCU and Facua, who argue it may breach the “final price principle” if not clearly displayed upfront.
For now, airlines continue to reassure passengers that Spain is in a relatively strong position. But with warnings of rising prices on one side and potential shortages on the other, the message from the aviation sector is far from unified, and travellers are left trying to read between the lines.
Address
Paraje El Espinar, Fuente Alamo Murcia, Mobile: +34 676 39 44 31
Mountain View Kennels, Dog kennels and cattery offering short and long-term stays near Fuente Álamo. Nucleus Zoological Licence Holders ES300210440037. Dog training grooming services and a private pet villa.
Open for business as usual. Training advice, classes, grooming services still given. Collection and delivery service available.
Do you need your dog exercised? Large exercise paddock complete with pick up and drop off if required.
Mountain View Kennels is an established family-run business in the countryside just outside Fuente Álamo, and is a fully Registered Zoological Nucleus kennels and cattery for pets operating in the south-west of Murcia since 2005.
In addition, owner Gill Lovegrove 
is a specialist dog trainer and behaviourist, and offers her services either on the premises or through home visits to all owners of troublesome pets.
The key to the success of Mountain View Kennels is that each boarder is viewed as another family pet in the extensive grounds and pens: dogs are not only housed and fed, they are also walked, and offered cuddles, toys and the chance to play. During the day they are free to roam around the eight main play areas equipped with trees, tunnels, toys and shelters, but they always have the option of returning to their own large play area or kennel.
In total there are 20 individual kennels, all fully tiled and with large runs, and each is spacious enough for four large dogs (or a family group) if required although they are also available to individual pets: dogs belonging to different owners are not housed together.
At the disposal of cats are eight individual catteries offering upstairs and downstairs accommodation and outside runs.
Owners are asked to bring their own food and treats to ensure all pets remain comfortable and avoid digestive upset. Mountain View are happy to administer any medication needed.
It is essential for all pets to be fully vaccinated on arrival at the clinic (as well as wormed and protected against fleas), and vaccination records are kept on the premises during the pets’ stay, not only in case there is an inspection but also in case the need for veterinary treatment arises (two local vets in Fuente Álamo are on 24—hour call).
In order to make life as easy as possible for owners as they plan a trip away, the Mountain View Kennels and Cattery is only 10 minutes from Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera.
Gill and the rest of the staff are very knowledgeable about all breeds of dog, and work tirelessly with local charities and animal foundations to help treat, care for and re-house lost and abandoned dogs. This caring attitude is one of the reasons for prices being kept as competitive as possible, including as they do two meals a day and not specifying any minimum or maximum length of stay.
Training services are also offered. Put all of these ingredients together, along with the reassurance given by the fully legal and licensed status of the company, and the result is a successful business which is built on reputation and customers who repeat year after year, fully satisfied with the complete, professional and caring service provided. Testimony to this is that the boarders at the kennels are not only from the area close to Fuente Álamo but also from places such as Alhama, Librilla, Caravaca de la Cruz, Mula, Bullas and La Azohía!
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