EU airline industry warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed
The European Union’s aviation sector faces a critical risk of aviation fuel shortages within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, according to an industry association representing European airports. The narrow waterway, a vital artery for global oil transport, supplies nearly half of the continent’s jet fuel imports. With summer travel season approaching, concerns over fuel availability have intensified, particularly for smaller airports.
ACI Europe highlighted that without the Strait reopening in a substantial and consistent manner, the EU could experience a systemic shortfall in aviation fuel. This would create challenges for air operations and connectivity, potentially harming local economies and the broader European region. The group’s director-general, Olivier Jankovec, emphasized the urgency in a letter to European energy and tourism commissioners.
“A shortage of fuel supplies could significantly hamper airport operations and air connectivity – with the risk of severe economic consequences for the communities reliant on these services,” Jankovec wrote.
Global airlines have already adjusted their schedules and increased passenger fees due to fears of a prolonged fuel crisis. Last week, the European benchmark jet fuel price reached a record high of $1,838 per tonne, up from $831 before the conflict began. Jankovec argued that relying solely on market mechanisms is insufficient, calling for immediate EU intervention.
“Without a comprehensive assessment of fuel production and availability, the situation could worsen,” he stated in the letter, dated 9 April, first reported by the Financial Times.
The body urged the EU to implement collective fuel procurement strategies and temporarily ease import restrictions. Jankovec also noted the opportunity to bolster sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and affordability, as conventional fuel prices are expected to stay elevated. Smaller airports, which serve fewer than a million passengers annually, are already struggling with operational viability, even before factoring in fuel scarcity.
According to the latest data, air travel generates €851bn in annual GDP for European economies and sustains 14 million jobs. Jankovec warned that the current crisis might weaken the sector’s resilience, threatening regional cohesion and local livelihoods.
