Airlines will be able to cancel flights weeks in advance, without losing valuable take off and landing slots at busy airports, if they face fuel shortages this summer.
New contingency plans have been drawn up by the government to let carriers plan ahead, helping to avoid disruptive last-minute cancellations for passengers.
Ministers have also asked the UK's four refineries to maximise jet fuel supply, and are exploring ways to increase supplies from the US.
Airlines say they are not currently experiencing fuel supply problems, but experts have warned that disruption to deliveries because of the Iran war could bring shortages within weeks.
The UK imports about 65% of the jet fuel it uses, a significant portion of which comes from the Middle East under normal circumstances.
