EU airline industry warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed
EU Airline Industry Warnings Over Potential Fuel Shortages
Europe faces a significant risk of jet fuel shortages within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to the European airports trade group. This warning highlights the critical role the Persian Gulf plays in supplying aviation fuel, which currently accounts for roughly half of Europe’s imports.
ACI Europe, the organization representing the continent’s airports, has raised growing concerns about fuel availability, especially as the summer travel season approaches. Smaller airports are highlighted as particularly at risk, with operations potentially thrown into disarray. In a letter dated 9 April, Olivier Jankovec, the group’s director-general, emphasized the potential for severe economic repercussions for both local communities and the broader European region.
“A supply crisis could disrupt airport operations and air travel connectivity, leading to major economic impacts,” Jankovec wrote to European energy and tourism commissioners. He noted that without a significant and stable reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the next three weeks, the EU might experience a systemic fuel shortage.
Global airlines have already begun adjusting schedules and raising passenger fees due to fears of fuel scarcity. The European jet fuel price benchmark recently reached a record high of $1,838 per tonne, compared to $831 before the conflict started. Jankovec argued that relying solely on market forces and individual adaptation is insufficient, criticizing the absence of a unified EU assessment of fuel production and availability.
“This situation offers an opportunity to strengthen support for sustainable aviation fuel production and reduce costs,” the letter stated. It also warned that conventional fuel prices are expected to stay elevated for the medium to long term.
Smaller airports with annual passenger counts below one million are already struggling with financial stability, even before considering the effects of fuel shortages. Jankovec cautioned that the ongoing crisis could further weaken these facilities and strain regional cohesion. The aviation sector contributes €851bn annually to Europe’s GDP and supports 14 million jobs.
ACI Europe is urging the EU to implement collective fuel purchasing strategies and temporarily ease import restrictions. These measures aim to mitigate the impact of the supply disruption and ensure continued air connectivity across the continent.
