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

EU Airline Industry Warns of Fuel Shortages if Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed

The European aviation sector is raising alarms over potential fuel crises if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for another three weeks. This critical waterway is a linchpin for global oil trade, and its closure could trigger a significant disruption in fuel supplies for the region.

Europe imports roughly half of its jet fuel from the Persian Gulf, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe. As the summer travel season approaches, the organization highlights growing anxieties about fuel availability, particularly affecting smaller airports.

ACI Europe’s director-general, Olivier Jankovec, emphasized in a letter to EU energy and tourism officials that without a swift reopening of the strait, the continent might face a systemic shortage. “This could threaten air connectivity and disrupt operations, with severe economic consequences for both local areas and the broader EU,” he stated.

“At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume significantly within the next three weeks, a fuel crisis is imminent for the EU.”

Global airlines have already taken steps to mitigate risks, reducing flights and increasing passenger fees. The European benchmark jet fuel price recently surged to $1,838 per tonne, a stark contrast to $831 per tonne prior to the conflict.

Jankovec urged the EU to act decisively, arguing that market forces alone cannot prevent the crisis. He criticized the absence of a unified assessment of fuel production and availability across the region.

The letter, dated 9 April and initially reported by the Financial Times, also called for temporary removal of import restrictions to stabilize supply. It noted the opportunity to bolster sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives, stating, “The price of conventional fuel is expected to remain elevated for the medium to long term.”

Smaller airports, which serve fewer than a million passengers annually, are already facing challenges maintaining operations. Jankovec warned that fuel shortages could push these facilities to the brink, jeopardizing their sustainability and local communities.

With air travel contributing €851bn to Europe’s GDP and supporting 14 million jobs, the sector’s vulnerability underscores the broader economic stakes. The ongoing crisis may test the resilience of EU cohesion and infrastructure.