European Union Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has warned of the risk of significant disruptions to air travel should the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continue. A shortage of aviation fuel could emerge as early as after June of this year.
“As of today, the situation is manageable: sufficient fuel reserves are in place, and more than 80% of airports are not reporting shortages. However, jet fuel prices have more than doubled, which has already led many airlines to suspend unprofitable routes,” Tzitzikostas said in an interview with the Greek television channel Skai.
According to him, if the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — caused by the war in Iran — is not lifted and freedom of navigation is not restored, the consequences for European aviation and the broader economy could be severe. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for oil and petroleum product shipments from the Persian Gulf, through which a significant portion of Europe’s imported jet fuel previously passed.
The Commissioner stressed that there are currently no grounds to expect mass flight cancellations in the coming weeks or months. The European Commission is preparing support measures, including recommendations on airport slot management, passenger rights, and the use of emergency fuel reserves. Accelerated scaling up of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and synthetic fuel production is also being considered in order to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern supplies.
Industry representatives, including Airports Council International, had previously expressed concern, warning that a prolonged blockade could lead to a systemic kerosene shortage and deal a serious blow to the summer tourist season.
European authorities continue to monitor the situation and are exploring alternative supply sources, including potential imports from the United States. Tzitzikostas described a continuation of the strait’s blockade as a “catastrophic” scenario not only for Europe, but for the global economy.