Jet‑fuel crunch hits Europe

Europe’s airlines are warning that a jet-fuel squeeze could mean higher fares and flight cancellations within weeks, just as the summer travel rush begins. (connexionfrance.com; cnbc.com) The immediate trigger is the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global oil and about 25% to 30% of the world’s jet fuel, according to Tourism Economics. Europe is more exposed than the United States because it relies more heavily on imported fuel. (cnbc.com) The European Union’s energy commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, said on April 22 that summer holidays are “very likely” to be affected if the crisis continues. Connexion France reported Europe had about six weeks of jet-fuel reserves left, citing earlier warnings from International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol. (news.sky.com; connexionfrance.com) Airlines are already pressing governments for emergency help. In Britain, Airlines UK — whose members include British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, UPS and Virgin Atlantic — sent ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority a confidential letter calling for a jet-fuel contingency plan. (express.co.uk; telegraph.co.uk) That letter asked for temporary steps including emergency fuel imports, changes to airport slot rules, and other measures intended to stretch limited supplies through the peak season. Airlines UK argues the current problem is still mainly a price shock, but could become a physical supply crisis if disruption persists. (connexionfrance.com; telegraph.co.uk) Some carriers have already started cutting. Lufthansa said it would cancel 20,000 short-haul flights through October, focusing on less profitable routes while preserving long-haul service, and UPI reported the airline said the move would save more than 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. (euronews.com; upi.com) The supply scare is landing on a market that was already fragile. The International Air Transport Association said in a November 2025 outlook that Europe’s jet-fuel resilience had weakened because refinery closures increased dependence on imports and exposed weak points in cross-border logistics. (iata.org) Travel advisers are now telling passengers to book earlier, expect higher prices on Europe-bound trips, and prepare backup plans if flights are cut or rescheduled. CNBC cited Going travel expert Katy Nastro urging travelers to have a “Plan B” and “Plan C” as the countdown to peak summer demand gets shorter. (cnbc.com; washingtonpost.com) For now, officials and airlines are still describing Europe’s problem as a fuel market under severe strain, not a continent-wide shutdown. But with fares already rising, reserves finite, and summer schedules locked in, the industry is treating the next few weeks as the window to avoid broader disruption. (connexionfrance.com; cnbc.com)