BUSINESS NEWS


Jet fuel analysts forecast


‘a supply crunch ahead of peak season’ in Europe


Fears grow for et fuel availability in Europe


Airlines tipped to face continued rise in prices due to shortages. By Ian Taylor


There are growing fears of an imminent shortage of jet fuel, not just in Asia but across Europe. The UK was due to receive its last


tanker of jet fuel from the Middle East despatched before the war on Iran began this week, as prime minister Keir Starmer met energy chiefs to discuss how to address fuel shortages. The government has contingency


plans for shortages but insists none are imminent as it attempts to forestall panic-buying of diesel and petrol. However, supplies of jet fuel could


48 2 APRIL 2026


be the first to become critical with 40% of Europe’s supplies normally shipped through the now-closed Strait of Hormuz and the UK sourcing at least half its supplies from the Middle East following a decline in domestic refining, some of it via the Netherlands. Alternative supplies should be


available from the US and West Africa but will be expensive, with traders competing to bid to redirect cargoes destined for other countries. Analysts warn jet fuel shortages


could hit airlines by the end of April and “definitely” by May without a resumption in supplies, despite the government insisting people should book travel “as normal”. The Department for Energy


Security and Net Zero insisted jet fuel shipments “are continuing to arrive in the UK”. However, a senior figure at


consultancy Rystad Energy told the Continued on page 46 travelweekly.co.uk


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