The possibility of European airlines facing jet fuel supply issues within three weeks has prompted major European companies to support airports in urging Brussels to take measures to mitigate the impact of the first major blow of the energy crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in Iran. Fuel scarcity could lead to route and frequency adjustments on the brink of the summer season.
"The situation in the Middle East and the uncertainty about its duration are increasingly raising concerns about the availability of fuel for planes in Europe in the coming weeks and months," explain sources familiar with the nervous atmosphere in the aviation sector due to the energy crisis impact.
Among these measures, airlines such as Air France-KLM Group, easyJet, Iberia, British Airways, Vueling International Airlines Group, Lufthansa Group, and Ryanair Holdings, all members of the Airlines for Europe (A4E) association, are urging the European Commission to assess kerosene availability from fuel suppliers for the upcoming weeks, intervene in the market to ensure availability, and launch European-scale purchases, following the model of the EU's joint gas purchase system after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and incorporating community-wide demand.
Last Friday, the International Council of Airports (ACI) sent a letter to Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, emphasizing the impact of a jet fuel supply shock on airlines in the 27 economies.
"We understand that if transit through the Strait of Hormuz does not significantly and stably resume in the next three weeks, a systemic shortage of jet fuel is likely to become a reality for the EU," warns the letter, highlighting that air connectivity generates ¤851 billion in GDP for European economies and supports 14 million jobs.
Today, Monday, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz seems more imminent than its reopening after the failure of negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan to end the war, and with U.S. President Donald Trump predicting the closure later today by blocking all oil-laden ships leaving the area. The price of a barrel of oil rose by 7% this morning, and stock markets are experiencing significant declines.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, A4E's general manager, explains to this newspaper that their requests "are temporary measures to help us overcome the current situation, along with longer-term planning to be prepared for the future."
In addition to market intervention to alleviate a potential shortage that could ground planes and affect connectivity, airlines are requesting legal changes to protect them from further economic impact due to cancellations. These include promptly activating regulatory changesanti-tankering obligation by more broadly applying the interpretative guidance on exemptions from the 90% refueling requirement in the EU, i.e., relaxing rules preventing airlines from speculating on fuel prices at different airports to load their planes and take advantage of price differences.
Regarding passengers who may experience flight disruptions in the form of delays, diversions, cancellations due to fuel scarcity, airlines are urging Brussels to consider these issues as "extraordinary circumstances" for compensation claims.
In Spain, Aena has contacted its suppliers to provide information on supply capacity, and airlines are relying on a stronger refining infrastructure compared to other countries. Last year, national kerosene consumption reached 7.7 million tons, with nearly 30% covered by imports, according to Cores. However, Spain could self-supply, as its refineries have the capacity to produce almost 9.9 million tons of kerosene annually, according to industry sources.