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Europe Expected to Face Flight Cuts by End of May, IATA Warns
(MENAFN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that Europe could begin experiencing flight cancellations as early as the end of May due to tightening jet fuel supplies, as ongoing disruptions in the Middle East continue to ripple through global energy markets.
In a statement on Friday, IATA Director General Willie Walsh highlighted concerns raised by global energy assessments, pointing to worsening supply conditions.
“The International Energy Agency's (IEA) assessment of potential jet fuel shortages is sobering,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said in a statement.
Walsh cautioned that the aviation industry’s own analysis suggests disruptions may soon escalate, with Europe at risk of operational impacts within weeks.
“by the end of May, we could start to see some cancellations in Europe for lack of jet fuel,” he said, noting that similar disruptions are already occurring in parts of Asia.
He added that airlines are actively seeking alternative supply channels but stressed that government coordination will be essential if shortages worsen.
“Along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines, it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary, including for slot relief,” Walsh said.
The warning follows an assessment by the IEA, which said European countries could face jet fuel shortages within six weeks as Middle East exports decline amid the ongoing Iran war.
In comments shared with a news agency on Thursday, the agency said the severity of the situation will depend on whether Europe can replace reduced Middle Eastern imports with supplies from other global markets. It also noted that the Middle East supplies roughly 75% of Europe’s net jet fuel imports.
Energy markets have already been shaken by rising prices and supply constraints across multiple fuel categories after the Iran war, which began on Feb. 28, triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on energy infrastructure.
Soaring fuel costs and tightening supply chains have already led to airline disruptions and cancellations, while governments across Europe and Asia attempt to contain the economic fallout.
In a statement on Friday, IATA Director General Willie Walsh highlighted concerns raised by global energy assessments, pointing to worsening supply conditions.
“The International Energy Agency's (IEA) assessment of potential jet fuel shortages is sobering,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said in a statement.
Walsh cautioned that the aviation industry’s own analysis suggests disruptions may soon escalate, with Europe at risk of operational impacts within weeks.
“by the end of May, we could start to see some cancellations in Europe for lack of jet fuel,” he said, noting that similar disruptions are already occurring in parts of Asia.
He added that airlines are actively seeking alternative supply channels but stressed that government coordination will be essential if shortages worsen.
“Along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines, it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary, including for slot relief,” Walsh said.
The warning follows an assessment by the IEA, which said European countries could face jet fuel shortages within six weeks as Middle East exports decline amid the ongoing Iran war.
In comments shared with a news agency on Thursday, the agency said the severity of the situation will depend on whether Europe can replace reduced Middle Eastern imports with supplies from other global markets. It also noted that the Middle East supplies roughly 75% of Europe’s net jet fuel imports.
Energy markets have already been shaken by rising prices and supply constraints across multiple fuel categories after the Iran war, which began on Feb. 28, triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on energy infrastructure.
Soaring fuel costs and tightening supply chains have already led to airline disruptions and cancellations, while governments across Europe and Asia attempt to contain the economic fallout.
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