{"id":186374,"date":"2026-04-08T12:00:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/?p=186374"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:24:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:24:54","slug":"iata-warns-jet-fuel-supply-recovery-could-take-months-despite-strait-of-hormuz-reopening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/en\/2026\/04\/iata-warns-jet-fuel-supply-recovery-could-take-months-despite-strait-of-hormuz-reopening.html","title":{"rendered":"IATA Warns Jet Fuel Supply Recovery Could Take Months Despite Strait of Hormuz Reopening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) <\/strong>has warned that, despite news of a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the global jet fuel supply could take months to stabilize. Disruptions in refining capacity across the Middle East have created a bottleneck that will keep operating costs under pressure throughout the next quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refining Capacity Challenge in the Middle East<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, explained during a conference in Singapore that even if oil flow normalizes, the impact on the region\u2019s refineries is profound. According to Walsh, restoring the supply levels required by the aviation industry will not be immediate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If the strait remains open after its reopening, I think it will still take a period of months to get back to where the supply needs to be, given the disruption to refining capacity in the Middle East,” the executive stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This situation is exacerbated by pricing behavior. While crude oil fell below $100 per barrel following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, jet fuel costs remain elevated. Refinery crack spreads\u2014the profit margin for refining\u2014remain high, which incentivizes production but keeps the final price for airlines above pre-conflict levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Impact: Fuel as a Critical Factor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fuel represents the second-largest expense for air carriers after labor, typically accounting for 27% of operating expenses. During the conflict with Iran, jet fuel prices more than doubled, significantly outstripping the 50% increase recorded in crude oil prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2192 IATA Projects Global Air Travel Demand to Double by 2050<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mitigate the shortage and high costs, airlines worldwide have implemented severe contingency measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n