European airports have warned that jet fuel shortages could emerge within three weeks if oil supplies do not begin flowing through the Strait of Hormuz again soon, raising concerns for flights and the summer holiday season.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe said the European Union is approaching a critical point and could face shortages unless the disruption to oil supplies is resolved quickly. The warning comes as airports look ahead to the busy summer travel period, when demand for flights and aviation fuel is typically high.
In a letter to Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU transport commissioner, ACI Europe said the bloc is three weeks away from shortages. The group’s concern is that any continued interruption to supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz could affect airports across Europe.
The issue adds pressure to the aviation sector at a time when airlines and airports are preparing for holiday traffic. If fuel availability tightens, the impact could reach not only flight operations but also travellers planning summer trips.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route, and any disruption there can quickly affect oil and fuel markets. For Europe’s airports, the immediate worry is whether supplies will stabilise in time to avoid knock-on effects for the peak travel season.
ACI Europe’s warning highlights the broader vulnerability of aviation to global supply interruptions. Jet fuel is essential for airport operations, and shortages can ripple through airline schedules, ticket availability and passenger demand.
For now, the group is urging attention to the situation over the next three weeks, which it sees as the decisive window for preventing wider disruption. If supplies fail to resume, summer flights and holiday travel could be among the sectors most exposed.
