Extinction Rebellion protests forced Birmingham airport to ask aircraft to land with enough fuel for return trips after its tanks risked running dry.

Protests at the Kingsbury oil depot, where 29 people were arrested over the weekend, have led to jet fuel deliveries being held up in recent days.

Airport executives said that flights were “largely unaffected” as airlines were asked to land with extra fuel. Meanwhile, supplies were sourced from other depots instead.

Nevertheless, aviation bosses held crisis talks with government officials late last week amid fears that reserves could dry up across other airports across the UK.

“Just Stop Oil” demonstrations at fuel depots have already sparked fears of shortages on petrol forecourts.

Downing Street has condemned protestors for employing “guerilla tactics” such as chaining themselves to pipework. Labour has called for nationwide injunctions to allow deliveries to be made without disruption.

The spectre of airports running out of jet fuel risks piling more misery onto travellers hoping to get away for the Easter holidays.

The Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that Priti Patel was warned about widespread airports chaos in March amid fears that Border Force lacked sufficient resources to staff border controls.

The Home Office insisted the Border Force’s priority was to keep the country safe and warned travellers that they will face longer than usual waiting times at airports.

Andrew Holl, director of airfield operations for Birmingham Airport, said: “The protests at Kingsbury depot caused minor delivery problems but our operations were largely unaffected because we sourced fuel from other depots and some incoming aircraft were asked to come with enough fuel on board for their return trips.”