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A global shortage of aviation fuel is putting pressure on airlines and passengers alike, prompting warnings that flight prices are set to rise in the coming months. The shortage stems from the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf—one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes—disrupting supply chains and driving up kerosene prices worldwide.
Peter Gerber, CEO of the German leisure airline Condor, called on Sunday for a temporary suspension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to ease the financial burden on both airlines and consumers. Speaking on German public broadcaster ARD, Gerber argued that pausing the ETS for six months would be “the simplest way to protect consumers from high prices in the second half of the year.”
According to Gerber, removing the additional cost burden could help stabilize the market. “This would allow us to take these speculative fuel price spikes out of the system,” he said, adding that such a measure could help ensure “a more relaxed summer for everyone.”
Fuel Supply Stable but Prices Rising
Despite the geopolitical tensions, Gerber emphasized that fuel supply for airlines remains secure for now. However, he warned that rising prices are unavoidable. “We know that fuel prices will increase in the foreseeable future. That means: those who have already booked are in luck. Those who book later will have to expect higher prices.”
The uncertainty is already affecting consumer behavior. The German Travel Association (DRV) recently reported a noticeable decline in new bookings, attributing the slowdown to concerns about rising ticket prices and potential flight cancellations due to fuel shortages.
Airports Managing Capacity Tightly
Gerber also addressed concerns about international flight operations, noting that even airports heavily dependent on oil from the Strait of Hormuz—such as Singapore—are still functioning normally. However, they are operating under strict capacity management. “They are simply not taking on additional traffic,” he explained. “Everything is being managed very tightly from all sides. No one wants an aircraft stranded on the tarmac without fuel. So I can reassure passengers: flights that depart will also return.”
As the summer travel season approaches, industry leaders and travelers alike are watching developments closely. With fuel prices climbing and geopolitical tensions unresolved, the cost of flying is expected to remain under pressure—making early bookings more attractive than ever.
- source: kleinezeitung.at/picture: pixabay.com
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