Mosaic News

Buy Me A Coffee
News without borders
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Mosaic News is free to read — but not free to run. Your (monthly) donation keeps it going. →
Europe·Middle East·Southeast Asia·South Asia·Energy·Trade & Economy

Jet fuel shortage threatens airlines across Europe and Asia as Strait of Hormuz closure enters sixth week

Friday, 17 April 2026, 02:02 · 1 min read

A worsening jet fuel shortage driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (a critical Persian Gulf chokepoint through which roughly 40% of Europe's jet fuel imports normally pass) is pushing European supplies toward crisis levels, with the International Energy Agency warning the continent has as little as six weeks of reserves remaining. Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the conflict began, and some European countries now hold fewer than 20 days of supply — a threshold below which physical shortages and flight cancellations may emerge at airports. Airlines including KLM, easyJet, and Lufthansa have already cut flights or raised fees in response, while carriers across Asia and the Middle East, including Cathay Pacific and Air India, have sharply increased fuel surcharges, with analysts warning travellers to expect higher fares, reduced scheduling flexibility, and greater disruption if supply flows are not restored before the peak summer travel season.

Sources
PBS NewsHourWhat lagging jet fuel supplies could mean for airlines and travelers ↗︎
This article was automatically compiled by AI from the sources above. It may contain inaccuracies. Always read the original sources for the full context.