- International Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Willie Walsh said flights in Europe could be cancelled from the end of May because of a shortage of jet fuel.
- Europe relies on the Middle East for about 75% of its jet fuel supply.
- Global jet fuel and kerosene demand averaged 7.8 million bpd in 2025, with the Gulf providing nearly 400,000 bpd, according to the IEA.
Europe’s aviation sector faces the prospect of unprecedented disruption as jet‑fuel shortages deepen. Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, warned that flights may start being cancelled from late May, heightening the risk of chaos during the busy summer travel season.
Walsh’s remarks, delivered at a press briefing on Friday, underline the scale of the supply crisis. Europe depends on the Middle East for roughly three quarters of its jet fuel imports, making it especially vulnerable to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. European airlines have been scrambling to secure alternative supplies, but many cargoes are already booked by Asian and North American carriers.
According to the International Energy Agency, global demand for jet fuel and kerosene averaged 7.8 million barrels per day in 2025, with the Gulf region supplying nearly 400,000 barrels per day. With Gulf flows curtailed, European refiners are struggling to find replacement barrels. Stockpiles, which were already thin, are dwindling, raising the risk of rationing.
Walsh urged policymakers to draw up well‑communicated, well‑coordinated contingency plans in case rationing becomes inevitable. Possible measures include easing airport slot rules to allow airlines to consolidate schedules and prioritise critical flights. Without such measures, airlines could be penalised for cancelling services, compounding the disruption.
The warning comes as the IEA has told governments they may need to release strategic reserves and as fuel suppliers fret that the pinch will continue into summer. For UK travellers and carriers, the prospect of flight cancellations could disrupt holiday plans, logistics and business travel. Airlines may need to raise ticket prices to cover higher fuel costs, and travel agents could face a surge in rescheduling demands.
In the longer term, the crisis highlights the vulnerabilities of Europe’s aviation sector and may accelerate investment in sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen‑powered flight, as well as calls for greater energy independence.
