Fuel Shortages Could Disrupt European Flights from Late May

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Airlines and aviation authorities are warning of possible flight cancellations in Europe from the end of May due to a growing shortage of jet fuel. The supply crunch is linked to the Iran war, which has disrupted deliveries through the Strait of Hormuz and damaged numerous oil facilities in the Middle East — a region that normally supplies most of Europe’s kerosene imports.

IATA chief Willie Walsh cautioned that airlines may soon face rationing and urged governments to prepare coordinated plans, including temporary exemptions for takeoff and landing rules. Germany’s aviation association BDL also raised concerns, noting that the summer travel season is approaching and tourism depends heavily on stable air traffic. So far, airlines are reviewing routes but have not cancelled holiday flights.

Higher Ticket Prices Likely

While cancellations remain uncertain, rising ticket prices are already a reality. Routes to Southeast Asia and Australia have become significantly more expensive as major Gulf hubs are affected by the conflict. Economist Gabriel Felbermayr expects prices to climb further, reducing demand and potentially making some routes unprofitable.

Lufthansa Cuts Capacity

Lufthansa has grounded its regional subsidiary CityLine, removing 27 aircraft with high fuel consumption from service. The move, accelerated by ongoing pilot strikes, will reduce feeder traffic to Frankfurt and Munich. The pilots’ union warns of major operational and financial consequences.

Europe’s Fuel Supply Under Pressure

The kerosene shortage first appeared at Asian airports, which stopped accepting additional flights weeks ago. Whether Europe faces similar constraints depends largely on how long the conflict continues. Kerosene prices have more than doubled since the war began, and experts estimate that around 20% of global oil capacity remains offline.

Europe is scrambling to replace Middle Eastern imports, with the U.S. currently covering only about half of the missing volumes. The EU Commission says it sees no systemic shortages yet but is preparing coordinated measures if the situation worsens.

Industry Calls for Government Support

Aviation groups are urging governments to release national and European fuel reserves and to expand access to the NATO pipeline network to supply major airports. They also want relief from taxes and fees — and are pushing for fuel-related delays to be classified as “extraordinary circumstances,” which would exempt airlines from paying passenger compensation.

Local Disruptions but No Major Impact Yet

Wizz Air reported brief fuel shortages at three Italian airports, though all were resolved within hours and no flights were cancelled. The airline says Europe’s situation remains manageable for now, with Asia facing far more severe problems.