EU airline industry warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed
EU airline sector cautions of fuel crisis if Hormuz remains shut
The European aviation sector faces a critical shortage of jet fuel within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to a report from the continent’s airport trade group. This strategic waterway, vital for global oil trade, supplies roughly half of the fuel imported by Europe. As the summer travel season approaches, the organization has expressed growing worry over the availability of aviation fuel, with smaller airports identified as especially at risk.
Industry leaders urge EU action
Olivier Jankovec, head of ACI Europe, wrote to European energy and tourism officials warning that a prolonged blockage could lead to widespread fuel shortages. He emphasized that without a significant and stable reopening of the strait, the EU’s air transportation system might face severe disruption. “This situation could undermine airport operations and connectivity,” Jankovec stated, highlighting the economic fallout for both local regions and the broader European economy.
“At this point, we see systemic jet fuel shortages becoming unavoidable unless the strait reopens soon.”
Global airlines have already begun reducing flight schedules and increasing passenger fees due to fears of fuel scarcity. The price of European jet fuel reached a record high of $1,838 per tonne last week, up from $831 before the conflict escalated. Jankovec argued that relying solely on market adjustments is insufficient, stressing the need for a unified EU strategy to address the issue.
He criticized the absence of a comprehensive assessment of fuel supply and production within the EU. The organization proposed collective fuel purchases and temporary removal of import restrictions to stabilize the situation. The letter, dated 9 April and first shared by the Financial Times, also called for bolstering sustainable aviation fuel initiatives, noting that conventional fuel prices are expected to stay elevated for the foreseeable future.
According to Jankovec, even without the current shortage, smaller airports serving under a million passengers annually are already struggling with financial sustainability. He warned that the ongoing crisis could further weaken these facilities, threatening regional communities and potentially straining European unity. Air travel contributes €851bn to the GDP of European economies and sustains 14 million jobs annually.
