Europe Faces Aviation Crisis As Jet Fuel Shortage Threatens Flights, Jobs

In a letter addressed to European commissioners overseeing energy and tourism, the organisation’s Director-General, Olivier Jankovec, cautioned that smaller airports are likely to bear the brunt of the crisis.

Europe could be plunged into a major aviation crisis within weeks as fears mount over a looming jet fuel shortage triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, airport authorities have warned.

The region’s heavy dependence on fuel imports from the Persian Gulf, estimated to supply roughly half of Europe’s aviation fuel, has left airlines and airports increasingly exposed as tensions continue to choke key shipping routes.

The warning was issued by Airports Council International Europe, which said its members are growing alarmed about dwindling jet fuel supplies, particularly as Europe approaches its peak summer travel season, according to the BBC.

“A supply crunch would severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity, with the risk of harsh economic impacts for the communities affected, and for Europe,” Jankovec stated.

He warned that unless shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz resumes in a “significant and stable” manner within the next three weeks, Europe could face a full-blown, system-wide jet fuel shortage.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, raising fears of prolonged supply disruptions.

Already, airlines across the globe have begun scaling back operations and increasing ticket prices in response to rising fuel costs and supply uncertainty.

Industry data shows that benchmark European jet fuel prices surged to a record $1,838 per tonne last week, more than double pre-crisis levels of $831.

Jankovec stressed that relying solely on market adjustments would be insufficient to address the scale of the threat, urging swift intervention by the European Union.

“Relying on market forces and adaptation alone is not an option,” he said, criticising what he described as the absence of coordinated EU-wide monitoring of fuel production and availability.

ACI Europe is now pushing for emergency measures, including joint procurement of jet fuel across EU member states and the temporary suspension of restrictions on fuel imports to ease supply bottlenecks.

The letter, dated April 9 and first reported by the Financial Times, also highlighted the need to accelerate investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), noting that the current crisis could serve as a turning point for reducing dependence on conventional fuel sources.

“The price of conventional jet fuel is likely to remain elevated in the medium to long term,” Jankovec added.

Beyond immediate disruptions to travel, the potential fallout could have far-reaching economic consequences.

Europe’s aviation sector contributes approximately €851 billion to GDP annually and supports around 14 million jobs.

Jankovec further warned that smaller regional airports, especially those handling fewer than one million passengers annually, are already struggling to remain viable, even before factoring in the impact of a fuel shortage.

The prolonged crisis could weaken regional connectivity, isolate communities, and deepen economic inequalities across the continent, raising broader concerns about Europe’s economic cohesion.