Airports run out of fuel and flights are canceled.: it really is alarm jet fuel in Europe? A Brussels The debate over the possible risk of a shortage of aviation fuel is heating up. The summit between EU Commission e air transport representatives scheduled Wednesday April 8 aims to shed light on the availability, production and stocks of jet fuel, in a context marked by tensions in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the price of jet fuel has more than doubled since February, with possible increases also on the prices of flightsin the coming months and in view of thesummer 2026.
Airports run out of fuel and flights are canceled: the first warnings.
The first signs of tension over aviation fuel are also being recorded in Italy. Toast jet fuel supply was temporarily restricted and a Notam (aeronautical bulletin) has set a maximum limit of 5 liters per aircraft. Restrictions have also been introduced in Reggio Calabria, with a limit of 3 thousand liters per aircraft, while Pescara the presence of only one tanker is reported. first warning about fuel at risk in Italian airports (Milan Linate, Venice, Treviso e Bologna) had arrived last Saturday.
In some cases, fuel distribution has also been restricted by operators, as in the case of Air BP Italia, with more selective management of supplies. Pilots are therefore required to plan, starting from the departure airport, a sufficient quantity of fuel to cover subsequent flights. These measures they do not constitute an immediate emergency, but which highlight difficulties in the distribution and management of stocks airports.
Brindisi Airport and Canceled Flights: What Happened?
Despite the restrictions, there is no fuel emergency at Brindisi Airport. Airports of Puglia ed ENAC they talk about one temporary criticality, linked to the high Easter traffic and a domino effect in aviation refueling.
The airport ran out of jet fuel for several hours, but this was a temporary situation: several aircraft refueled at Brindisi, reducing supplies, which were later replenished. In times of crisis, airlines tend to refuel at other airports, contributing to temporary imbalances in fuel distribution.
Also on the airport of Pescara there are no structural problems of aviation fuel shortage: any slowdowns are due to a technical issue to one of the tankers, without impacting supplies or flights.
More expensive flights and higher costs for airlines
The price of jet fuel in Europe has exceeded $1.900 a ton, more than double compared to the end of February. The increase in the cost of jet fuel is having a heavy impact on company balance sheets: if under normal conditions it represents around 20-25% of operating costs, today it has risen to 40-50%, putting the entire sector under pressure.
Also complicating the picture is the poor visibility on productionAirlines and airport operators do not know exactly how much jet fuel is currently being produced in Europe, what the actual capacity of refineries is, and what stocks will be available in the coming weeks and months. It also remains uncertain whether the plants will be able to increase production and what measures will adopt the European Commission to ensure the energy security of air transport.
Aviation fuel and airlines: who is most exposed to price increases?
Some airlines are limiting the impact of price increases by adopting fuel hedging contracts. Among the most protected carriers are: Italy Airways, which covered up to 80% of the needs, together with Ryanair, Lufthansa e QantasMore exposed are companies such as Wizz Air, Singapore Airlines e Norwegian Air, with lower coverage levels.
US companies, including Delta Air Lines e United Airlines, do not employ fuel hedging strategies, but can rely on stronger balance sheets. In this context, according to analysts, the gap between financially stronger carriers and weaker ones is set to widen.
Flights at risk? The problem is the availability of jet fuel.
The main problem, however, is not only the price of jet fuel, but its and security physicsEven with hedging contracts, fuel may not arrive if the supply chain is disrupted.
This depends on the production of refineries, on the sea routes – in particular on the Strait of Hormuz – from the oil pipeline network and logistics to airport depots. A disruption in any of these areas could cause an immediate operational crisis, directly impacting flights.
Canceled flights and uncertain summer holidays 2026: what to expect
Airlines officially exclude immediate impacts on flights in the next 3-4 monthsHowever, several carriers are already preparing contingency plans. Ryanair is considering cutting flights by 5% to 10% between May and July, while Lufthansa may reduce its operating fleet and the number of daily flights. Some measures are already underway: SAS canceled around 1.000 flights in April, United Airlines reduced its offerings by 5%, and other airlines such as Air New Zealand and Vietnam Airlines have already cut several routes.
The uncertainties about the summer season Prices remain high: geopolitical conflicts are compounded by concerns about fuel, costs, and flight availability. High fuel prices and a strong dollar against the euro are already impacting travel costs and package holidays.
For travellers there are also solutions such as insurance against flight cancellations, which however can reach up to 8% of the cost of the holiday and do not cover all risks. In the event of cancellation due to reasons related to the airlines, the European regulations guarantees the reimbursement of the ticket or the rerouting on another flight.
