The International Air Transport Association (Iata), representing airlines globally, has warned of looming shortages of aviation fuel in Europe and elsewhere.
In a blog, Stuart Fox, Iata’s director for Flight and Technical Operations, wrote: “The recent pressure on the supply of aviation fuel globally due to the war in the Middle East has put a spotlight on something most passengers never think about: the fuel in the aircraft.
“If the war continues, it won’t be long before we see fuel shortfalls in parts of the world.”
Mr Fox argued that the harm caused by potential shortages for airlines outside North America could be eased if they were allowed to use Jet A fuel in place of Jet A-1.
The two fuels are almost identical. The main operational difference is the temperature at which they freeze. Jet A-1 has a lower maximum freezing point (minus 47C) than Jet A (minus 40C), giving aircraft operating on Jet A-1 slightly more flexibility on longhaul and polar routes.
The Iata director wrote: “European fuel supply could come under pressure if the war in the Middle East continues. Using Jet A, which is produced at scale outside the Gulf, could be a practical way to help ease some pressure on existing supply chains.
“This could give airlines facing a possible shortfall in fuel supply more options. Where applied, it will allow European carriers and airlines from other regions to operate in the same way as many in Canada do, where they switch between Jet A and Jet A-1 as part of seasonal operations.”
Separately, IAG – parent company of British Airways – said in a financial statement: “We are confident of jet fuel supply in our main markets throughout the summer. Today the situation is more about the price of fuel than availability.”
The conglomerate’s chief executive, Luis Gallego, said: “We are actively managing the uncertainty created by the fuel price increase and its impact, taking the necessary action on yields, costs and capacity. We currently see no issues with fuel availability in our main markets.”
IAG, which also includes Aer Lingus of Ireland and Iberia and Vueling of Spain, said it is seeing “some softer demand in the eastern Mediterranean”.
Next week Jet2 is selling return trips from London Stansted to Dalaman in Turkey for as little as £77 return.
Read more: Around 13,000 flights have been cancelled this summer – is your holiday in peril?
