Meanwhile, airlines operating out of the UK have warned that if the conflict in the Middle East continues or worsens, it will force them to cut flights and push up fares.
They have called on the government to take a number of steps to protect them from the effects of the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
This would include allowing delays and cancellations due to fuel shortages to be classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, allowing them to avoid paying out compensation, something that European airlines have also called for.
Sources have suggested to the BBC that this demand is not being seriously considered.
They have asked for Air Passenger Duty – a tax on passengers – to be cut or suspended, as well as for a major emissions trading scheme to be temporarily stood down.
The demands are contained in a confidential briefing document sent to ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority by Airlines UK, a body which represents a large number of carriers, including EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The document – first reported on by ITV News – also calls for restrictions on night flights to be eased and rules on the allocation of take-off and landing slots at busy airports to be relaxed. This would prevent airlines losing valuable slots if they were unable to operate services.
The government, it says, should establish “targeted refinery obligations”, which would if necessary force oil refineries to prioritise the production of jet fuel over other products, such as petrol or diesel.
The Department of Transport said: “UK airlines are clear that they are currently not seeing a shortage of jet fuel.
“We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airlines and international counterparts on our contingency planning, to ensure people keep moving and businesses are supported while the conflict is ongoing.
“Our overriding priority is to de-escalate this conflict, open up the Strait and prevent disruption to passengers.”