Europe Could Face Jet Fuel Shortage Within Weeks, ACI Warns
Airports Council International Europe (ACI) has warned that the continent could face a systemic shortage of jet fuel within three weeks if the opening of the Strait of Hormuz is not guaranteed. This situation has prompted the organization to request urgent intervention from the European Union to secure supplies before the start of the peak summer travel season.
A Critical Blow to the European Economy
In a letter sent to the European Commission dated April 9, ACI pointed out that a fuel shortage would cause “significant damage to the European economy.” This scenario would exacerbate the macroeconomic impact derived from the rise in oil prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.
The importance of the aviation sector to the region is fundamental, based on data from an ACI study through 2019:
- Air connectivity contributes €851 billion annually to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of European economies.
- The sector supports 14 million jobs.
- Airports manage 26% of Europe’s exports by value.
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Lack of Monitoring and Financial Pressure
ACI Director General Olivier Jankovec highlighted in the missive that meetings of the European Commission’s Oil Coordination Group revealed a worrying deficiency: there is currently no EU-wide mapping, assessment, or monitoring regarding the production and availability of aviation fuel.
This vulnerability adds to extreme financial pressure for airlines. In recent weeks, jet fuel prices have doubled, reaching ranges between $150 and $200 per barrel. In an industry where fuel represents up to a quarter of operating expenses, this increase represents a severe financial blow.
Intervention Proposals and Regulatory Barriers
Faced with the crisis, ACI has requested a series of strategic measures from the European Commission:
- Conduct a mapping of current and projected fuel availability against actual needs.
- Identify alternative import sources and assess threats to fuel flows within the European Union.
- Evaluate levels of commercial and strategic reserves.
Furthermore, the organization has called for immediate policy interventions, such as the temporary lifting of fuel import restrictions under the new EU Methane Regulation, scheduled for January 2027. According to Jankovec, these rules are already discouraging third-country suppliers from signing supply contracts for this summer.
Other suggestions include collective fuel purchasing at the EU level, specific obligations for refineries to safeguard production, and the inclusion of airports, airlines, and ground handling companies in state aid schemes to respond to the crisis.
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