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European airports face "systematic" shortages of jet fuel if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened within three weeks, the industry has warned.
ACI Europe, which represents EU airports, said jet fuel stocks were dwindling, while the "impact of military activity on demand" was further tightening supplies.
In a letter first seen by the FT, she warned the EU transport commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, of the airport industry's growing concerns over the availability of jet fuel, and the need for proactive EU monitoring and action.
" If passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any meaningful and sustainable way within the next three weeks, systematic shortages of jet fuel will become a reality for the EU," the letter states.
He added that the approach of the peak summer season, when air travel powers the entire tourism ecosystem on which many EU economies rely, has intensified these concerns.
Some Asian countries, such as Vietnam, have begun rationing jet fuel due to shortages, but Europe has so far not had widespread shortages, although fuel prices have doubled and airlines have warned of cancellations.
Despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the war with Iran, global oil prices have remained high.
Benchmark jet fuel prices in Northwest Europe closed at $1,573 per tonne on Thursday, according to price reporting agency Argus Media, up from around $750 per tonne before the Iran war.
European airlines say they should have enough fuel for several weeks, but suppliers are unable to guarantee deliveries until May.
Four Italian airports last weekend imposed restrictions on jet fuel after a fuel supply disruption at a key supplier, although the shortage was not directly linked to the Strait of Hormuz, which is the transit route for about 40 percent of the world's jet fuel supply.
In its letter, ACI Europe called for EU-wide supply monitoring to help the industry coordinate its response.
"There is currently no EU-wide mapping/assessment and monitoring of jet fuel production and availability. A supply crisis would severely disrupt airport operations and air connectivity, with the risk of severe economic impacts for affected communities and for Europe in the event of a systemic jet fuel shortage ," she said.
Airlines have begun cutting services as higher jet fuel prices have made some routes unprofitable.
Delta Air Lines said this week it would cut capacity by 3.5 percent, including some midweek and overnight flights, to offset the hit from higher fuel prices. It expects $2 billion in additional fuel costs between April and June.
Air New Zealand has also cut some flights due to higher fuel costs and Polish airline Lot is cutting some of its less popular services and expects to increase ticket prices.
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