Hello and welcome to today's independent travel podcast. It's Wednesday the 6th of May.

I am absolutely delighted, given the circumstances, to be talking today to Julia Lobuet-Said. She is,

as you will know, if you're a kindly a regular listener to the podcast, Chief Executive of the

Advantage Travel Partnership.

And just remind us, Julia, what that means?

Yes, good morning. Advantage is a network of independently owned travel agents that are situated

right around the UK, looking after consumers and business travellers alike.

Here we are. It's a very difficult time to be an advantaged travel agent or indeed

a holiday maker who wants to look forward to their holiday. What are people to make of all these

scare stories that we're hearing about aviation fuel simply running out? It's really frustrating,

really difficult for the travel industry, but actually really difficult for consumers,

because you can't make head of tells of what's going on. Obviously, we can all see what's

happening in the Gulf, and there are clearly some concerns there, but it's very clear from the

UK government, but also UK airlines, you know, there is no shortage of fuel as we stand.

Airlines are not concerned right now. Flights will be operating

and people can look forward to travelling this summer if they choose to wish so.

But I find it very difficult to convince people who are saying, yeah, but everyone knows you

can't get visibility of aviation fuel beyond a few weeks and my holidays in July or August.

Look, I think the reality is all of a sudden we're all experts in fuel and we're not.

You know, the airlines have been operating airlines for many years.

They are hedging, they are buying fuel in advance all the time and they are dealing with this

issue.

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