EU airline industry fears fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed

EU Airline Industry Warns of Fuel Shortages Amid Hormuz Closure

The European airports association has issued a stark warning that a three-week delay in reopening the Strait of Hormuz could lead to jet fuel shortages across the continent. This critical waterway, which serves as a primary conduit for aviation fuel, supplies roughly half of Europe’s fuel imports. As the summer travel season approaches, the risk of supply disruptions is growing, with smaller airports facing heightened vulnerability.

Global airlines have already begun adjusting their operations, reducing flights and increasing passenger fees due to fears of fuel scarcity. The financial strain is evident, as the European benchmark jet fuel price recently surged to an unprecedented $1,838 per tonne—a stark contrast to $831 per tonne before the conflict started. This spike highlights the urgency of the situation, prompting calls for immediate action.

“A supply crunch would severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity—with the risk of harsh economic impacts for the communities affected, and for Europe,” wrote Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe’s director-general, in a letter to the European commissioners for energy and tourism.

Jankovec emphasized that without significant progress in restoring Hormuz traffic within the next three weeks, the EU could face a systemic fuel crisis. The letter, dated 9 April and first reported by the Financial Times, also urged the bloc to prioritize sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and affordability. “The price of conventional jet fuel is likely to remain at higher levels in the medium to long-term,” he added.

The trade body criticized the absence of a unified EU strategy for monitoring fuel availability and production. It called for temporary easing of import regulations and collective purchasing initiatives to stabilize supplies. Jankovec noted that even without fuel shortages, smaller airports—those serving fewer than a million passengers annually—are struggling with sustainability.

Air travel generates €851bn for European economies annually and sustains 14 million jobs. The current crisis threatens not only operational continuity but also the broader economic and social fabric of the region, potentially weakening cohesion across member states.