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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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Airlines in Europe warned Thursday there could be a continent-wide jet fuel shortage within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to the Iran war.
The deadline was laid out in a letter from Airports Council International Europe (ACI) to the European Commission, in which leaders said a lack of fuel would greatly impact the European economy this summer.
"While airport operators do not manage jet fuel supply in most cases…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 in case of a systemic shortage of jet fuel," ACI wrote in its letter, shared with Newsweek.
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Newsweek reached out to the European Commission for comment via email Friday afternoon.
Strait of Hormuz Closure Is Impacting Air Travel
The strait was briefly opened following a ceasefire deal struck between the U.S. and Iran, but the Middle Eastern nation closed it again after Israeli forces continued strikes in Lebanon against Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
In the U.S., airlines have been adjusting costs due to rising oil prices. Earlier this week, Delta Air Lines raised its checked baggage fees, joining other major U.S. carriers, such as JetBlue and United, who have done the same to help offset skyrocketing fuel costs.
Oil prices have swung dramatically over recent weeks, as the war stretched over a month. Prices briefly topped $119 a barrel, plunged below $95 Wednesday after the news of a two-week ceasefire, before climbing back toward $100 on Thursday, per the Associated Press.
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What Do European Airports, Airlines Want?
In the letter, ACI director general Olivier Jankovec called for the European Commission to intervene, and outlined some suggested measures, including mapping fuel supply across the EU.
"Apart from the above mentioned mapping/assessment and monitoring, it is also clear that a crisis of this magnitude requires policy and regulatory interventions," he wrote. "Relying on market forces and adaptation alone is not an option, as pricing is likely to be the main lever used to manage the situation."
ACI wants to see the Commission temporarily lift restrictions which limit airports' abilities to import jet fuel. A collective EU-wide purchase of jet fuel was also suggested.
Jankovec also said there needed to be plans formed for after the current Middle East crisis, so Europe is safeguarded in the future.
Update 4/10/26, 12:44 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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