Europe faces jet‑fuel squeeze
- Europe is moving toward a jet‑fuel shortage that could force more flight cuts and higher fares. - Experts warned Europe may have roughly six weeks of jet fuel supplies left. - Airlines are already canceling flights and regulators are under pressure as summer demand rises, with multiple carriers flagging tighter capacity (cnbc.com) (deseret.com) (businessinsider.com).
Europe’s airlines are bracing for a jet-fuel squeeze that could hit summer schedules within weeks. (apnews.com) The International Energy Agency said on April 16 that several European countries could face jet-fuel shortages within six weeks if lost Middle East supply is not replaced. The agency told CNBC that the Middle East had accounted for 75% of Europe’s net jet-fuel imports before the disruption. (cnbc.com) The pressure point is the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping lane that carries about 20% of the world’s oil and roughly 25% to 30% of global jet fuel, according to Tourism Economics. Europe and Asia are more exposed than the United States because they rely more heavily on imported fuel. (cnbc.com) Jet fuel is refined from crude oil, then moved by ship and pipeline to airport storage tanks before airlines buy it for daily operations. If supply tightens, carriers can pay more, hedge part of their fuel bill, trim less-profitable routes, or cancel flights when fuel is not available at workable prices. (orlandosentinel.com) Airlines have already started cutting back. Lufthansa has cut 20,000 flights, and the New York Times reported on April 22 that global jet-fuel prices have risen more than 70% since the war began. (nytimes.com) Other carriers are also warning of tighter capacity. EasyJet said on April 16 that later-year bookings were down 2% from 2025 levels and that it absorbed about £25 million in extra fuel costs in March alone while hedging at least 70% of its summer fuel. (cnbc.com) The airline industry’s trade group said Europe could start seeing cancellations by the end of May if the squeeze continues. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said on April 17 that authorities should prepare coordinated rationing plans and slot relief in case fuel has to be allocated. (iata.org) The timing is difficult for Europe because the region is moving into its busiest travel season. Airports Council International Europe says air connectivity supports 14 million jobs and €851 billion in economic activity, equal to about 5% of European gross domestic product. (aci-europe.org) For travelers, the early signs are higher fares, fewer low-cost seats, and more schedule changes on routes with multiple daily departures. CNBC reported on April 21 that reductions have been modest so far, but experts expect deeper cuts if fuel stocks keep falling into late spring. (cnbc.com) The next few weeks will determine whether Europe gets replacement fuel fast enough to keep planes flying on normal summer schedules. If that supply does not arrive, airlines and regulators will be deciding which flights go first. (cnbc.com)
