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Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns

Flights could soon be cancelled if supplies from the Gulf remain blocked, says the International Energy Agency.

* Europe has "maybe six weeks of jet fuel left" due to disruptions in supplies from the Middle East, according to Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
* If Europe cannot replace at least half of its imports from the Middle East by June, stocks will reach a tipping point and physical shortages may emerge.
* The Strait of Hormuz has been closed for over six weeks due to US-Israeli attacks on Iran, sending jet fuel prices rocketing.
* European countries are scrambling to replace supplies with imports from the US and Nigeria, but these shipments only replace around half of the lost supplies.
* Analysts warn that even if supplies from the Gulf resume soon, there could still be shortages in Europe before the summer travel peak.
* Many airlines have taken emergency measures to counter rising fuel costs, which make up 20-40% of their operating costs.
* The European Commission says there is no evidence of fuel shortages yet, but acknowledges that supply issues are possible in the near future.