Europe's airline industry is sounding the alarm over potential jet fuel shortages that could cripple air travel across the continent in just three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. The critical waterway, a major transit route for oil and fuel shipments, supplies approximately half of Europe's aviation fuel imports from the Persian Gulf region.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe has issued a stark warning, highlighting "increasing concerns" about fuel availability as the busy summer tourism season approaches. In a letter to European commissioners for energy and tourism, ACI Europe's director-general Olivier Jankovec emphasized that smaller airports are particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
"At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU," Jankovec wrote.
The trade body warned that a supply crunch would severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity, potentially causing harsh economic impacts for affected communities and Europe as a whole. Several airlines worldwide have already responded to fuel concerns by cutting flights and increasing passenger charges.
Last week, European jet fuel prices reached a record high of $1,838 per tonne, more than double the $831 per tonne price before recent regional conflicts began. Jankovec urged EU intervention, stating that "relying on market forces and adaptation alone is not an option."
ACI Europe has called for several emergency measures, including:
- Collective EU purchasing of jet fuel
- Temporary lifting of import restrictions and regulations
- Enhanced monitoring of jet fuel production and availability
- Increased support for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and affordability
The letter, dated April 9 and first reported by the Financial Times, noted that airports serving fewer than one million passengers annually are already struggling with viability, even before accounting for potential fuel shortages. Jankovec warned that the current crisis could further destabilize these airports and threaten local communities, potentially impacting European cohesion.
Air travel represents a significant economic pillar for Europe, contributing €851 billion to the continent's GDP annually and supporting 14 million jobs. The industry's warning underscores the broader economic implications of geopolitical tensions affecting global shipping routes.