Fuel crunch disrupts travel

Airlines and airports across Europe are warning that a jet-fuel shortage could force flight cuts within weeks as the summer schedule begins. (cnbc.com) The warning sharpened after Airports Council International Europe told the European Commission on April 9 that shortages could hit airports within three weeks if disrupted fuel flows are not restored. The group said the crunch would damage airport operations and air connectivity across the region. (cnbc.com) The supply problem is tied to the Middle East conflict and the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping lane that industry groups say is critical for jet-fuel movements into Europe. The International Air Transport Association said in March that Europe gets about 25% to 30% of its jet-fuel demand from the Persian Gulf. (iata.org) Europe entered its summer timetable on March 29 with traffic still growing, which leaves less slack if fuel deliveries tighten. Eurocontrol said average daily flights reached 27,784 in the week of March 23 to 29, while traffic between Europe and the Middle East was down 51% from a year earlier. (eurocontrol.int) Analysts told CNBC that airlines have already reduced capacity on some routes and could face “severe” cancellations this summer if the shortage spreads. CNBC also reported that the pressure is not limited to Europe, with parts of Asia facing similar fuel-cost and supply strains. (cnbc.com 1) (cnbc.com 2) Travel disruption is also coming from the border side. The European Commission said the Entry/Exit System became fully operational on April 10, replacing passport stamps with digital entry and exit records for non-European Union short-stay travelers. (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) That rollout has already produced long queues. Connexion France reported on April 14 that hundreds of passengers missed flights from Milan Linate to the United Kingdom after delays linked to Entry/Exit System processing, with easyJet calling the situation “unacceptable” and blaming the airport. (connexionfrance.com) In the United States, the fuel story is less acute because domestic production is stronger, but local operations can still snarl when aircraft need to refuel where they land. CNBC reported last week that some U.S. airlines were drawing up contingency plans, including the possibility of grounding aircraft if shortages spread. (cnbc.com) At Tampa International Airport, the airport’s live delays-and-cancellations page showed disruption this week, though third-party reports differed on the exact totals. Tampa’s official dashboard was active, while outside travel sites and blogs published varying counts for delays and cancellations across Delta, American, JetBlue and Southwest. (tampaairport.com) (nomadlawyer.org) For travelers, the immediate risk is a thinner schedule and longer waits rather than a single systemwide shutdown. Europe’s airports and airlines are now pressing governments for emergency fuel measures as the busiest flying months approach. (cnbc.com)