EU Airline Industry Warns of Fuel Shortages if Hormuz Remains Closed

The European airline sector risks encountering jet fuel deficits within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, according to a report from the continent’s airports organization. This critical waterway serves as a vital artery for global oil transport, with the Persian Gulf supplying nearly half of Europe’s aviation fuel imports. The warning comes as summer travel demand approaches, intensifying concerns about fuel availability.

ACI Europe, the association representing European airports, highlighted that smaller airports face heightened vulnerability amid the potential crisis. In a letter to the European Commission, the group’s director-general, Olivier Jankovec, emphasized that a prolonged closure could lead to widespread operational disruptions, threatening both air connectivity and regional economic stability.

“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,” Jankovec wrote.

Current data shows the benchmark European jet fuel price has surged to an unprecedented $1,838 per tonne, up from $831 before the war began. This spike has already prompted airlines to reduce services and increase passenger costs. Jankovec urged immediate EU action, arguing that market forces alone cannot resolve the situation.

The letter, dated 9 April and first published by the Financial Times, called for a coordinated EU approach to fuel procurement and temporary easing of import restrictions. It also stressed the importance of supporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production to ensure long-term affordability. “The price of conventional jet fuel is likely to remain at higher levels in the medium to long-term,” the report noted.

With fewer than a million passengers annually, some airports are already struggling to maintain operations. Jankovec warned that fuel shortages could push these facilities closer to collapse, further straining local economies and risking European unity. The sector contributes €851bn to the continent’s GDP annually, supporting 14 million jobs across the region.