EU warns of jet fuel supply crunch in ‘near future’

The European Commission on Tuesday warned that Europe could soon face jet fuel supply disruptions, as the ongoing Iran war continues to unsettle global energy markets.

“There is no evidence of fuel shortages in the European Union at present, but supply issues could arise in the near future, particularly for jet fuel,” said spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, calling it the bloc’s “primary concern.”

Airports body ACI Europe has cautioned the Commission about the risk of “systemic” shortages if maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored by the end of April.

Roughly a fifth of the world’s jet fuel typically passes through the key shipping route, which has been blocked by Iran since late February in response to Israeli-American airstrikes.

The disruption has driven jet fuel prices sharply higher—outpacing the rise in crude oil—forcing airlines to cut routes and rein in costs. With travel demand also softening as passengers grow cautious, the strain on the aviation sector could persist even if a fragile truce emerges in the Middle East.