Airline cancels flights from summer schedule amid 'aircraft maintenance' - with Birmingham Airport routes affected

Aer Lingus has cancelled some of its flights from its summer schedule due to what it has described as "mandatory maintenance on aircraft".

The airline said "a limited number" of adjustments have been made to its sum.

However, it added that the "vast majority of customers" are being accommodated on same-day services.

The Sunday Independent reported that flights from Dublin to European airports - including Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Faro and Zurich are to be removed from the schedule on a range of dates.

It also said that flights to London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh will also be cancelled, with passengers booked on to other services.

Aer Lingus said: “Aer Lingus has commenced operating its planned summer schedule.

“A number of recent cancellations have been required due to mandatory maintenance on aircraft, along with a limited number of schedule adjustments.

“Schedule changes apply to approximately 2% of Aer Lingus’ overall schedule.

“Where schedule adjustments are being made, the vast majority of customers are being reaccommodated on same day services.”

It comes as Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary cautioned that flights could be cancelled this summer owing to the soaring cost of jet fuel and ticket prices could be higher.

A spokesperson from Ryanair said that “with jet oil prices doubling during March” it expects “all airlines will pass on these higher costs in the form of higher air fares post Easter and later this summer.”

Jet ​fuel prices, which averaged at about $85 (£64) to $90 (£68) before the US and Israeli strikes on Iran started in February, have surged to around $209 (£158) per barrel globally, according to the International Air Transport Association.

The Gulf is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe's imports.

The bulk of it comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively closed in response to US and Israeli attacks.

Many airlines around the world have had to take emergency measures to counter the rising cost of fuel.

Airlines in Asia have been trimming services and raising fares to cope with the situation.

United Airlines in the US and Scandinavia's SAS are among those to have cut flights and increased ticket prices.

Ryanair warns that jet fuel supplies could start to be disrupted if the conflict continues.

A spokesperson said: “We don’t expect any near-term fuel shortages, but the situation is fluid.

“If the Iran war finishes soon then supply will not be disrupted.

“If the closure of the Hormuz Straits continues into May or June then we cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies at some airports in Europe.”