Europe Risks Jet Fuel Shortage as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Supply
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Apr 17
Europe Risks Jet Fuel Shortage as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Supply
55 articles · Updated · Euronews · Apr 17
Europe faces a potential jet fuel shortage within six weeks due to the ongoing Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Jet fuel prices have doubled, with airlines like KLM and Lufthansa cutting flights and passing higher costs to travellers through increased fares and fees.
Experts warn that if oil flows are not restored soon, flight cancellations and further price hikes could disrupt summer travel and impact the global economy.
Will the US blockade on Iran keep summer flight prices high despite the reopened Strait?
Could soaring fuel prices unintentionally accelerate the world's shift to green energy?
Is this energy crisis the final warning to end our global oil dependency?
How will the US naval blockade impact global food and medicine supply chains?
Beyond emergency reserves, what is the plan to secure Europe's long-term energy supply?
Oil prices plunged, but will damaged Gulf facilities cause a second price shock?
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Triggers Severe Jet Fuel Shortage: Europe’s Six-Week Supply Countdown
Overview
Following US-Israel strikes on Iran in February 2026, Iran initiated a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off 75% of Europe's jet fuel imports and triggering a severe fuel crisis. This caused jet fuel prices to surge, forcing major airlines like United and KLM to cut flights and retire aircraft. The International Energy Agency warned Europe has only six weeks of jet fuel reserves left, while over 40 countries formed a coalition to secure the Strait. The blockade also damaged key energy assets, slowing recovery and pushing global oil prices higher, which is accelerating investment in sustainable aviation fuels and reshaping the aviation industry amid growing economic risks.