How Many Flights Were Cancelled this Summer? The European Union claims to be safe from kerosene shortages at this point, but is preparing for all scenarios and could turn to American fuel “Jet A” to cope.
The Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have caused a surge in aviation fuel prices and concerns about potential shortages this summer.
Last Friday, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) paved the way for the use of Jet A, a kerosene produced in the United States but not currently distributed in Europe for technical reasons.
“Jet A is used daily for flights departing and within the United States and Canada. An eventual introduction of Jet A in Europe or other regions of the world would not pose a safety problem, provided that this introduction is properly managed,” the agency said, recommending not to mix fuels and to train teams properly.
The European Commission also outlined measures for Member States to optimize kerosene usage in terms of aircraft refueling and airspace slot allocation.
- What are the stock levels in Europe?
Brussels keeps repeating: there is no kerosene shortage in Europe.
In France, the government is very reassuring. There is “no fear” of shortage in May and June and “probably little risk” afterward, Economy Minister Roland Lescure stated on Wednesday.
Before the Middle East war, 20% of the kerosene consumed in Europe transited through the Strait of Hormuz.
With the price hike, a series of airlines, especially low-cost carriers, have announced flight cancellations.
“At this stage, it is more of an economic problem, fuel cost, than availability issue,” Matteo Mirolo, an aviation transportation specialist, told AFP.
However, if the crisis continues, Brussels is preparing for possible “supply problems. We are not there yet, but it could happen,” according to European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen.
Last week, the Commission announced the creation of a kerosene observatory to monitor the situation better.
Up to now, the EU did not have a detailed vision of the reserves of the Twenty-Seven. European legislation requires strategic stocks of petroleum products equivalent to 90 days of net imports and 61 days of domestic consumption, without distinguishing between gas, diesel, kerosene, etc.
In broad terms, a Commission source estimates that some states, like Ireland, are more exposed due to limited refining capacity, while others like Finland seem better prepared.
In passing, this official also expressed concerns that some airlines are taking advantage of the crisis to cancel unprofitable routes.
- What has the EU announced?
The Commission clarified the existing rules to Member States and airlines to ensure optimal kerosene use and the lowest possible price.
The European executive provides flexibility on “tankering,” when companies fly with more fuel than necessary to avoid buying kerosene at an airport where it may be lacking.
Flexibility is also provided on airport slots, which could prevent a company that temporarily gives up a slot due to a potential fuel shortage from being penalized in the allocation of subsequent slots.
Regarding the sensitive issue of air passenger rights, Brussels states that airlines have the right not to compensate passengers (beyond ticket refunds) in case of a local fuel shortage, as an “extraordinary circumstance.”
If the crisis persists, the EU is considering coordination among the Twenty-Seven to release emergency stocks and for a voluntary sharing of kerosene among them.
- Is American kerosene a solution?
American Jet A, different from Jet A-1 distributed in the rest of the world, is not currently used in Europe, except for flights returning from the United States.
Its standards are less stringent than European standards, especially for withstanding very low temperatures during long-haul flights.
However, the EU is exploring this option and some airlines want to use it more widely this summer.
EASA has dismissed the safety risk per se. But it poses conditions, mentioning potential operational risks, “if both fuels are used simultaneously.”
In the longer term, Brussels also emphasizes the development of non-fossil aviation fuels (SAF).
Context: The article discusses the impact of the Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on aviation fuel prices in Europe, potential shortages, and alternative solutions for maintaining air travel operations.
Fact Check: The European Commissioner for Energy is not named Dan Jorgensen.
