European Airports Warn of Systemic Jet Fuel Shortage Within Three Weeks

ACI Europe warned the European Commission on April 10 that the bloc faces a "systemic" jet fuel shortage within three weeks unless maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz resumes at normal levels, as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has reduced ship crossings to a fraction of pre-war volumes. The warning was contained in a letter sent by ACI Europe Director-General Olivier Jankovec to Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. In the last 24 hours before the letter was published, only 7 ships crossed the Strait, compared to approximately 140 on a typical pre-war day. The EU imports roughly 40% of its refined kerosene through that route, and ships carrying the fuel normally take one month to reach European territory. Jet fuel prices have already doubled since the start of the conflict, with benchmark prices closing at $1,573 per ton, according to news agency Argus Media, well above the approximately $750 per ton recorded before hostilities began.

Jet fuel crisis: key events: — ; — ; — ; —

The Strait of Hormuz has long been regarded as the world's most critical oil chokepoint, with roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supply transiting through it. The US-Israel military operation against Iran, designated Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28, 2026, triggering a sharp reduction in maritime traffic through the strait. Iran has insisted the waterway has been reopened in line with a ceasefire agreement with the United States, but shipping data cited in source articles shows traffic remains far below pre-war levels.

„If transit through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in a significant and stable manner within the next three weeks, a systemic shortage of jet fuel is set to become a reality for the EU” — ACI Europe letter via Financial Times

Italian airports already restricting refueling as May stocks alarm grows While no widespread shortages have been recorded across Europe yet, the situation on the ground has already begun to tighten, with refueling restrictions imposed at several Italian airports including Milan, Venice, and Bologna. European refineries are reported to be operating at maximum capacity, leaving no room to compensate for the reduction in Gulf imports. According to a snapshot based on three EU sources cited by Corriere della Sera and reported in Italian outlet Open, existing jet fuel stocks — including the latest cargoes to arrive by sea from the Persian Gulf — could run out between the second and third week of May. Only two EU member states are said to hold strategic reserves sufficient for 90 days, while the majority would not last beyond 30 days, with some Eastern European and smaller western states in a particularly exposed position. Asian countries, including Vietnam, have already begun rationing jet fuel, a development ACI Europe cited as a warning of what could follow in Europe. Airlines have begun alerting passengers to the possibility of flight cancellations if the supply situation does not improve. Fatih Birol, director of the International Energy Agency, warned in an interview with Der Spiegel that diesel and kerosene could soon be scarce in Europe if conditions do not improve, and suggested that even a 10 km/h speed reduction on German highways could cut national oil consumption by up to 6%.

Jet fuel benchmark price: before and after conflict: Benchmark jet fuel price (per ton) (before: ~$750 (pre-conflict), after: $1,573 (April 3, 2026)); Daily ship crossings through Strait of Hormuz (before: ~140 (pre-war average), after: 7 (last 24-hour period)); EU jet fuel rationing (before: None, after: Restrictions at Milan, Venice, Bologna airports)

Trump criticizes Iran's pace despite reported ceasefire deal United States President Donald Trump stated that Iran is doing "a terrible job" of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite a reported ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. Iran has maintained that the waterway has been reopened in accordance with that agreement, but the shipping data tells a different story. The disconnect between Tehran's claims and observed vessel traffic has deepened uncertainty among European aviation and energy planners. Global oil prices have remained elevated despite Trump's announcement of a two-week truce in the conflict with Iran, according to reporting by G4Media. The letter from ACI Europe noted that the EU currently has no community-wide mechanism to map, assess, or monitor jet fuel production, availability, or reserves — a gap the association called on the European Commission to urgently address. The association requested a range of emergency measures, including facilitated imports, the study of joint EU-level fuel purchases, and strengthened domestic refining obligations. ACI Europe also asked the Commission to clarify the application of EU methane emissions regulations, warning that existing rules could deter external suppliers from selling fuel into the European market.

40% (of EU refined kerosene supply) — imported through the Strait of Hormuz

Summer tourism season and €851 billion economy hang in the balance ACI Europe framed the timing of the potential shortage as especially damaging, given that the peak summer travel season — when air transport underpins the tourism economies of many EU member states — is weeks away. The association's letter stressed that a fuel crisis would "significantly affect the European economy," compounding the macroeconomic damage already caused by rising oil prices. According to an ACI Europe study based on data available up to 2019, air connectivity contributes 851 (billion euros) — annual contribution of European air transport to GDP to European GDP annually and supports approximately 14 million jobs. Airports also handle share of European exports processed through airports, underscoring the sector's role beyond passenger travel. The association called on the Commission to implement reinforced supply monitoring across the entire Union, noting that the crisis also exposes a deeper structural vulnerability: the EU's high dependence on imported kerosene and the absence of a strategic energy autonomy framework for aviation fuel. European companies are reported to have reserves sufficient for a few more weeks, but suppliers are not in a position to guarantee deliveries for May, according to RTBF. The letter represents, according to Il Sole 24 Ore, the strongest signal yet sent by the European air transport sector — encompassing both airlines and airports — about the real risk of running dry ahead of the summer.

Annual GDP contribution (€ billion): 851, Jobs supported (millions): 14, Share of exports by value (%): 26