Europe will suffer jet fuel shortages in just three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen, the trade body for the continent’s airports has warned.
The Persian Gulf is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe’s imports.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe said its members had “increasing concerns” about the availability of jet fuel, particularly with the approach of the summer tourism season.
It warned that smaller airports are particularly vulnerable.
“A supply crunch would severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity – with the risk of harsh economic impacts for the communities affected and for Europe,” ACI Europe’s director-general Olivier Jankovec wrote in a letter to the European commissioners for energy and tourism.
“At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU.”
Several airlines worldwide have already cut flights and hiked passenger charges due to concerns about fuel shortages.
“A supply crunch would severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity – with the risk of harsh economic impacts for the communities affected, and for Europe,” ACI Europe’s director-general Olivier Jankovec wrote in a letter to the European commissioners for energy and tourism.
“At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU.”
Several airlines worldwide have already cut flights and hiked passenger charges due to concerns about fuel shortages.
(BBC)
