European Airports Have Declared A Critical Situation
- 10.04.2026, 17:38
There's only three weeks of fuel left.
European airports will face a systemic shortage of jet fuel if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened within three weeks.
ACI Europe, the European Union Airports Association, said jet fuel stocks are depleting and that "the impact of military activity on demand" is exacerbating the supply situation. This is according to a letter from the association to European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tsitsikostas, cited by Financial Times.
The business community warned the European official of "the airport industry's growing concern about the availability of aviation fuel and the need for active monitoring and action by the EU."
"If passage through the Strait of Hormuz is not resumed to any significant and sustained degree within the next three weeks, a systemic shortage of aviation fuel will become a reality for the EU," the letter said.
The industry representatives also warn that the peak summer season of air travel, which powers the entire EU tourism ecosystem, is approaching.
The publication noted that some Asian countries, such as Vietnam, have begun rationing jet fuel supplies due to shortages, but Europe has not yet seen such widespread shortages, although fuel prices have doubled and airlines are warning of possible flight cancellations.
According to news agency Argus Media, benchmark jet fuel prices in northwestern Europe were as high as $1573 per ton as of April 9, up from about $750 per ton before the war with Iran.
European airlines have said they should have enough fuel for several weeks, but suppliers cannot guarantee deliveries until May.
In a letter, ACI Europe called for Europe-wide monitoring of supplies to help the industry coordinate its actions.
"There is currently no EU-wide system for mapping/assessing and monitoring aviation fuel production and availability," airport representatives stated.
The Strait of Hormuz is a transit route for around 40% of the world's aviation fuel supply, the FT highlighted.