The International Air Transport Association has speculated that flights in Europe could start to be cancelled from the end of May due to a lack of jet fuel.
Willie Walsh the director general of the International Air Transport Association revealed that along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines it’s important that authorities have well communicated and well coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary including for slot relief. European airlines warned of jet fuel shortages within weeks as a result of the war in Iran which blocked the main supply route through the Strait of Hormuz. Global jet fuel and kerosene demand averaged 7.8m barrels per day in 2025 with the Gulf the largest supplier to the global market providing nearly 400000 bpd according to a report by the International Energy Agency.
Wizz Air encountered some jet fuel shortages at three airports in Italy its chief executive Jozsef Varadi revealed. The airline resolved the problems within a day and in some cases within hours without having to cancel flights. Several Italian airports signalled limitations on jet fuel supplies earlier this month. Europe normally imports half of its jet fuel from Gulf countries. Europe relies more on imports of jet fuel than on any other transport fuel with some 75pc of its supply from the Middle East.
The International Air Transport Association has revealed that flights in Europe could start to be cancelled from the end of May due to a lack of jet fuel.
Willie Walsh the director general of the International Air Transport Association revealed that authorities need to have well communicated and well coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary.
European airlines warned of jet fuel shortages within weeks as a result of the war in Iran which blocked the main supply route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Wizz Air encountered jet fuel shortages at Venice Brindisi and Catania which the airline resolved within a day without cancelling flights.
Global jet fuel and kerosene demand averaged 7.8m barrels per day in 2025 with the Gulf providing nearly 400000 bpd and Europe relies more on imports of jet fuel with some 75pc of its supply from the Middle East.
Airports Council International Europe has warned that the region’s supply of jet fuel could run short within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen to traffic. The body representing the region’s airports wrote a letter to the European commissioners for energy and tourism on Friday and the Gulf region accounts for around 50pc of Europe’s imports of aviation fuel. Ryanair does not expect any near-term fuel shortages and its fuel suppliers guarantee supply to mid-end May while Lufthansa Group is not currently seeing any fuel shortages at its hubs and the group’s kerosene requirement for 2026 is hedged at approximately 80pc.
Delta expects to take a €1.84 billion fuel hit this quarter due to the Middle East crisis and the carrier increases checked baggage fees. Qantas Group works closely with the Government and jet fuel suppliers who continue to provide confidence in fuel supply for the remainder of April and well into May. Jet fuel prices nearly doubled from around €2.30 per gallon in late February to nearly €4.51 per gallon by early April.
Airlines including Air New Zealand Delta SAS United and Vietnam Airlines have all revealed cuts in recent weeks and Qantas Group has reduced domestic capacity for the fourth quarter by around five percentage points while it has increased flights to Paris and Rome.
Willie Walsh shared “Along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines, it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary, including for slot relief.”
Jozsef Varadi shared “We had problems because of a shortage of jet fuel in three Italian airports Venice, Brindisi and Catania. It was all resolved within a day and in some cases within hours, without having to cancel flights. In no other European country so far have we experienced a fuel shortage. I think we are currently watching each other (between airlines) to understand how serious the situation might become. Jet fuel has been supplied adequately across Europe, with a minor hiccup in Italy.”
