Airports across Europe have warned that jet fuel could run short within three weeks if oil supplies do not begin flowing normally through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing fears of flight cancellations in the UK and EU ahead of the summer holiday season.
The warning has raised concerns that disruption could spread quickly across European aviation if supplies from the Middle East are not restored soon. Airports said the shortage could become serious enough that cancellations would be unavoidable if the situation continues, affecting travel plans for potentially millions of passengers.
The alert comes at a time when demand is typically rising as summer travel approaches. A prolonged interruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz would place added pressure on the aviation fuel supply chain, with jet fuel among the products most vulnerable to disruption.
According to the warning, the key issue is how quickly normal flows can resume. If supplies do not recover within the next three weeks, airports say Europe could face an acute shortage of jet fuel, leaving airlines with limited options and passengers at risk of delays and cancellations.
Any widespread disruption would be felt most sharply during the holiday period, when airports and airlines are already operating at high volume. The prospect of fewer available flights could affect both short-haul and longer journeys across the region.
Airports have said the risk is not limited to a single country, but could extend across Europe if fuel supplies remain constrained. That has added to concern in the UK and EU, where many travellers are preparing for peak summer departures.
The warning highlights how quickly tensions affecting global energy routes can spill over into travel. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage for oil shipments, and any interruption there can have consequences far beyond the immediate region.
For now, the central question is whether fuel flows through the strait will return to normal in time to avoid severe disruption. If they do not, airports say cancellations across Europe will be unavoidable, with the possible impact measured in the travel plans of millions.
