EU airline industry fears fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed
EU Airline Sector Warns of Jet Fuel Crisis if Hormuz Remains Blocked
European airports’ trade organization has raised alarms about potential jet fuel shortages within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. The Persian Gulf accounts for roughly half of the continent’s aviation fuel imports, making it a critical supply route. As the summer travel season approaches, the organization highlights growing anxieties over fuel availability, particularly affecting smaller airports.
Supply Chain Vulnerability and Rising Costs
The warning comes as global airlines have already begun reducing flights and increasing passenger fees due to fears of fuel scarcity. A recent spike in European jet fuel prices reached an unprecedented €1,387 per tonne, compared to €831 before the conflict started. This surge underscores the urgency of the situation, with ACI Europe emphasizing the need for immediate action.
“A disruption in fuel supply could cripple airport operations and air travel networks, leading to severe economic consequences for both local communities and the broader EU,” stated Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe’s director-general, in a letter addressed to European energy and tourism commissioners.
Jankovec stressed that without a significant and stable reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within the next three weeks, the EU could face a systemic shortage. He criticized the absence of a unified assessment of fuel production and availability, urging collective purchasing strategies and temporary removal of import restrictions. The letter, dated 9 April and first published by the Financial Times, also called for bolstering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives.
The crisis has already strained airports with annual passenger counts below one million, according to Jankovec. He warned that fuel shortages could further jeopardize their viability, threatening regional connectivity and European unity. Air travel sustains 14 million jobs and contributes €851bn to the GDP of European economies annually, highlighting its economic significance.