- No immediate shortage: the European Commission said there is no evidence of a jet fuel shortage in the EU at present, despite widespread fears stemming from the Iran war.
- European airlines had earlier urged the EU to implement emergency measures – including fuel monitoring, joint kerosene procurement and suspension of aviation’s carbon market – after warning that a systemic shortage could hit within weeks.
- A Commission spokesperson noted that crude supplies to European refineries remain stable and that there is currently no need for additional stock releases, but cautioned that supply issues could arise if the conflict persists.
In a briefing on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the European Commission said “there is no evidence for fuel shortage in the European Union at present”. The official added that crude oil supplies to European refineries remain stable and that there is no need for additional stock releases at this time.
The comments came after the continent’s airlines, through industry group A4E, called on Brussels to take emergency action in response to mounting concerns about jet fuel availability.
In a document seen by Reuters, carriers asked the Commission to monitor supplies, organise joint procurement of kerosene and suspend the EU emissions trading scheme for aviation. Airlines warn that prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Middle East refineries could create a systemic shortage within weeks.
So far, the worst‑case scenario has not materialised. Inventories are adequate and fuel is still flowing from alternative routes, albeit at higher cost. Still, the Commission said it remains vigilant and is prepared to intervene if supply constraints emerge.
Options include coordinated stock releases, temporary waivers of environmental obligations and priority access to limited supplies for critical flights. Officials noted that energy security is a shared competency among EU member states and that any crisis response would require coordination with national governments and industry.
For airlines and travellers, the reassurance is welcome but not entirely comforting. Jet fuel prices have surged this year alongside crude, squeezing profit margins for carriers that had hoped to capitalise on a post‑pandemic travel boom.
In the UK, airports have warned of possible flight cancellations and urged the government to align with EU contingency planning. A shortage could also hit cargo flights, which are vital for medical supplies and manufacturing components.
Jet fuel, a refined distillate, depends on crude shipments that currently navigate a heavily militarised Gulf. Even if physical volumes remain adequate, transportation bottlenecks and insurance costs can drive up prices. Europe’s reliance on Middle Eastern kerosene means that the war’s trajectory will continue to influence flight schedules, ticket costs and supply chains.
From a big‑picture perspective, the Commission’s statement underscores the balancing act policymakers must perform: reassuring markets while preparing for worst‑case scenarios. UK‑based aviation and logistics firms should take the opportunity to review fuel‑supply contracts, assess hedging strategies and coordinate with regulators.
The crisis may also accelerate efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuel and diversify supply sources, themes that are likely to remain central as long as geopolitical tensions persist.
