The European Union could face a «systemic crisis» of jet fuel if transit through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored within three weeks, warned airports association ACI Europe on Friday, calling on Brussels to take urgent measures to avoid a «severe» impact on air connectivity. «If transit through the Strait of Hormuz is not stably restored in the next three weeks, a systemic shortage of aviation fuel in the EU could become a reality,» ACI Europe stated in a letter addressed to the European Commissioners for Energy and Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. In the letter, first revealed by the Financial Times and seen by EFE, ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec warned that a prolonged disruption in jet fuel supplies would have direct effects on airport operations, connectivity, and the European economy. The organization highlights that air transport generates around 851 billion euros in GDP and supports nearly 14 million jobs in Europe, so a reduction in traffic would affect key sectors such as tourism and high-value exports at a particularly sensitive time due to the approaching summer peak season. Although airports do not directly manage fuel supply, which is in the hands of energy companies, ACI Europe warns that a shortage would cause chain disruptions throughout the economic system, further aggravating the impact of rising oil prices. The EU imports approximately 40% of the refined jet fuel it consumes through the Strait of Hormuz, and vessels carrying this fuel typically take a month to reach European territory. In this situation, the sector is calling on the European Commission for urgent supervision of the jet fuel market, as it considers there is currently no community-scale assessment of production, availability, or reserves. It also requests exceptional measures such as facilitating imports, studying joint European-level purchases, or reinforcing refining obligations within the EU to guarantee supply. ACI Europe also urges clarifying the application of the European regulation on methane emissions, warning that it could discourage external suppliers from supplying fuel to the community market. Beyond the urgency, the association believes the crisis highlights the EU's high dependence on jet fuel imports and the need to strengthen its medium-term energy autonomy. The European Commission is gathering information from the sector to get a clearer picture of the situation before considering possible measures.
