Global Aviation Head Warns of Potential Jet Fuel Rationing in Europe by Late May

Following the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, industry leaders warned that flight cancellations could begin in six weeks due to a “sobering” shortage of aircraft fuel. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A Citation Latitude aircraft landing at Sion Airport in western Switzerland on April 8, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Friday called on authorities to put “well-coordinated plans in place” in the event of jet-fuel rationing due to the Middle East war. Willie Walsh said an assessment from the International Energy Agency that fuel for aircraft could start running out in Europe in six weeks’ time was “sobering”. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “We have also estimated that by the end of May, we could start to see some cancellations in Europe for lack of jet fuel. This is already happening in parts of Asia,” he said in a statement. The projected aviation fuel shortage stemmed from Iran’s effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel started the war at the end of February, which spread across the Middle East. Although Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday his country was now reopening the strait to commercial traffic, shipping companies are wary. Walsh said in his statement issued before Iran’s announcement that, if jet fuel shortages occurred, “it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary.” Brussels, meanwhile, plans to propose “voluntary coordination” to redistribute jet fuel around Europe to avoid  regional shortages , an official with knowledge of the matter told  Euractiv . Other Topics of Interest War in the Middle East: Latest Developments Iran will close the strategic Strait of Hormuz again if the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday. Some countries have deeper reserves of jet fuel than others, but EU countries all agree that none should face shortages, the official added. Euractiv is a European news website focused on EU policies. It was founded in 1999 by the French media publisher Christophe Leclercq. The website's headquarters and central editorial staff are located in Brussels, with offices in Paris and Berlin.