Spanish airlines are advising travelers to book their summer holiday flights as early as possible to avoid potential price increases stemming from the ongoing conflict in Iran, according to industry leaders.

The warning comes amid rising concerns about jet fuel costs and supply chain disruptions affecting aviation operations across Europe, particularly as major airports in the Persian Gulf face threats from the regional conflict.

Javier Gándara, president of the Asociación de Líneas Aéreas (ALA), emphasized the urgency of early booking during a recent industry gathering organized by hotel group Hotusa.

“La recomanació, com sempre, és que si saps que viatjaràs aquest estiu, comprés com més aviat millor”

The recommendation, delivered in Catalan during a Tuesday briefing, translates to: “The recommendation, as always, is that if you know you will travel this summer, book as early as possible.”

According to verified industry sources, Spanish airlines currently have fuel supplies secured through advance purchasing agreements that protect them from immediate price volatility for the current quarter and summer season.

The ALA president noted that approximately 80% of the aviation fuel consumed by Spanish carriers is refined domestically, providing a buffer against international supply disruptions.

However, industry analysts warn that if the Iran conflict persists, fuel costs—which represent roughly 30% of total airline operating expenses—could increase substantially, potentially leading to higher ticket prices or reduced flight capacity.

Jet fuel prices have historically shown greater volatility than crude oil prices due to the more complex refining process required for aviation fuel, according to aviation industry experts cited in recent reports.

European airlines maintain financial hedging strategies for fuel purchases, typically covering 70-80% of their needs up to a year in advance, which explains why current summer bookings are unlikely to notice immediate price surges despite rising oil markets.

This hedging approach means the fuel being consumed for current operations was purchased months ago at lower prices, providing price stability for the present and summer travel periods.

The ALA, which represents 71 Spanish airlines including the country’s ten largest carriers by traffic volume, continues to monitor the situation closely as it affects both operational costs and consumer pricing strategies.

Industry officials stress that while summer 2026 travel appears insulated from immediate fuel price shocks through existing hedging contracts, winter 2026-2027 bookings could face significant pressure if the Middle East conflict continues unresolved.

Travelers planning summer holidays are therefore advised to secure their bookings promptly to lock in current rates before any potential market shifts affect pricing for later travel periods.