European airports risk a “systemic” jet fuel shortage if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened within three weeks.
This is the warning from ACI Europe, the association of European airports, which, in a letter seen by the Financial Times, states that jet fuel reserves are running low and “the impact of military activities on demand” for oil is further straining supplies.
The association warned European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas of “the airport sector’s growing concerns regarding the availability of jet fuel, as well as the need for monitoring and proactive action by the EU,” the FT reports.
“If passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume significantly and steadily within the next three weeks, a systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU,” the letter adds.
“There is currently no Europe-wide mapping, assessment, or monitoring of jet fuel production and availability,” but “a supply crisis,” it is emphasized, “would severely compromise airport operations and air connectivity, with the risk of serious economic repercussions for the affected communities and for Europe in the event of a systemic shortage of jet fuel.”
