The Energy Agency warns of a possible shortage of jet fuel in Europe in six weeks
The conflict in the Middle East threatens the kerosene supply just before the start of the peak summer season
BarcelonaThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a serious warning: several countries on the European continent could suffer a shortage of jet fuel within six weeks. The main cause is the extreme dependence on supplies from the Middle East, a region that before the conflict covered 75% of Europe's net kerosene imports.
The organization's concern focuses on the European Union's ability to find alternative markets to replace the lost flow. Although the European Commission has tried to calm spirits by assuring this Tuesday that, at present, there are no signs of immediate shortages, it has also admitted that the situation could take a drastic turn if the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is prolonged.
The aviation sector, on alert
The warnings from the IEA are not the first. The International Airports Council (ACI) already sent a letter to Brussels last week, placing the risk on an even nearer horizon: three weeks. This urgency comes at the worst possible moment, just as airlines are preparing for the summer campaign, the period of maximum demand and activity of the year.
Faced with this scenario of uncertainty and the unstoppable rise in the price of kerosene, the major companies have begun to make their move to shield themselves from the crisis. In this regard, the German giant Lufthansa announced this Thursday the closure of its subsidiary CityLine and the withdrawal of six aircraft. In parallel, the Dutch company KLM has already confirmed that it will stop operating 160 flights during the month of May.
Traveling will be more expensive this summer
Beyond the cuts in connectivity, the crisis will also directly impact travelers' pockets. This is the case of the Spanish Volotea, which has opted for a defensive measure by applying a charge of up to 14 euros per passenger and journey; a decision that the company justifies by the need to "guarantee operational stability" in an increasingly volatile global environment.
In the same way, the low cost Ryanair already warned yesterday that it is "very likely" that the increase in fuel costs will be directly passed on to ticket prices during the summer months.
