Europe travel trouble

London travelers are contending with a second 24-hour Tube strike on Thursday, April 23, just as Europe weighs emergency steps to keep planes fueled. (timeout.com) (reuters.com) The Rail, Maritime and Transport union scheduled walkouts from midday on Tuesday, April 21, and again from midday on Thursday, April 23, with disruption spilling into April 22 and April 24. Transport for London said customers should check before traveling and warned it would run “as many services as possible” during the action. (tfl.gov.uk) (news.sky.com) For airport trips, the biggest pinch point is Heathrow: Time Out reported no service was expected on the Piccadilly line during the strike windows, pushing passengers toward the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express, buses, coaches, taxis or private-hire cars. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton still had rail options, including Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Stansted Express services. (timeout.com) At the same time, Brussels is considering a new rule that would require European Union countries to hold jet-fuel stockpiles and potentially share them across borders when one region runs short. Reuters reported the idea was outlined by Europe’s energy policy chief on April 22 as officials prepared measures tied to supply risks from the war involving Iran. (reuters.com) (brecorder.com) Europe already has emergency oil reserves, but those rules do not specifically require countries to hold aviation fuel where airports need it most. Reuters reported the Commission is also examining whether member states could be required to store fuel near major aviation hubs and diversify supply away from the Middle East. (reuters.com) (investing.com) The supply anxiety is not abstract. International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said last week Europe had “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel left if shipments through the Strait of Hormuz stayed blocked, according to the Associated Press and follow-up reports. (politico.eu) (msn.com) Airlines have already started trimming schedules. Reuters reported last week that the European Union would urge member states to cut dependence on Middle Eastern jet fuel and look at more imports from the United States, while other reports said carriers were grounding less efficient planes and reducing weaker short-haul routes. (investing.com) (politico.eu) Transport for London says the labor dispute is about proposed changes to working arrangements and says the strike is unnecessary because the new four-day week would be voluntary. The RMT says drivers are resisting changes to working schedules, and more strike dates are planned in May and June. (tfl.gov.uk) (independent.co.uk) For passengers flying through London or across Europe this week, the immediate problem is getting to the airport on time; the next one is whether airlines can keep summer schedules intact if fuel flows stay tight. (timeout.com) (reuters.com)