ACI Europe Backs EU Plan to Track Jet Fuel Stocks Amid Hormuz Risk

ACI Europe has endorsed a European Commission response package called AccelerateEU, aimed at protecting jet fuel availability as uncertainty persists over safe and reliable transit of oil products through the Strait of Hormuz.

While European airports are operating normally, the airport trade group has warned that prolonged disruption in the shipping corridor could move the market from higher prices to physical supply constraints, with potential knock-on effects for summer air travel and for cruise passengers who fly to European embarkation ports.

Airports say operations are normal, but the supply risk could escalate quickly

Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said, “No airport in Europe is currently facing jet fuel shortages, and flight operations are proceeding normally.” He added that the Commission’s newly adopted plan is designed to mitigate shortage risks while the situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain.

ACI Europe has cautioned that if stability and meaningful passage through the strait is not restored within a short timeframe, Europe could face systemic constraints rather than isolated, local problems. In earlier warnings, the group said systemic shortages could occur within weeks if significant measures are not enacted, and it has also pointed to the risk of reduced EU connectivity at a time when higher oil prices are already pressuring the broader economy.

The association also linked the issue to today’s demand mix, noting that leisure and VFR travel (visiting friends and relatives) have been major drivers of post-pandemic recovery, tightening the connection between aviation disruptions and tourism impacts.

Why ACI Europe wants EU-level visibility into jet fuel stocks and flows

ACI Europe has argued that a key vulnerability is the lack of a standardized, EU-wide way to monitor jet fuel availability and production. After discussions within the Oil Coordination Group focused on oil supply security, the association urged the creation of a shared monitoring capability to identify emerging gaps before they affect flight schedules.

In communications to EU officials, ACI Europe said the EU needs consistent mapping of supply chains and current and forecast supply, including reserve levels, production capacity, the resilience of intra-EU fuel movements, and a clear picture of how quickly commercial and strategic reserves could be drawn down under stress.

What AccelerateEU is designed to do

ACI Europe welcomed AccelerateEU as an “adequate” response to reduce shortage risks, emphasizing that the package aligns with measures the association had previously requested, including in a letter to EU energy and transport leaders dated April 9.

As described by ACI Europe, the plan centers on coordinated oversight and flexibility measures, including:

• EU Fuel Observatory: A new EU-level tool intended to map jet fuel supply and available stocks across the European airport network.
• Coordinated alternative sourcing: Immediate coordination with member states and fuel suppliers to identify alternative sources of jet fuel if import flows tighten.
• Operational and regulatory flexibility: Clarification of flexibilities in EU rules related to anti-tankering, alongside guidance connected to the use of imported fuels.
• Strategic stock review: An assessment of whether EU strategic stock guidelines should be reviewed to address jet fuel needs more explicitly.

Additional measures ACI Europe is urging, from imports to refinery output

Beyond monitoring and coordination, ACI Europe has called for policy steps intended to keep supply channels open and reduce barriers to securing summer deliveries. The association has advocated collective EU purchasing approaches, temporary relaxation of import restrictions, and targeted obligations for refineries to protect domestic jet fuel output during periods of market stress.

ACI Europe has also raised concerns about regulatory uncertainty affecting supplier behavior. The group warned EU officials that measurement, reporting, and verification requirements linked to the EU Methane Emissions Regulation were already discouraging some external suppliers from finalizing contracts under negotiation for summer delivery.

Over the longer term, ACI Europe has pointed to reduced refining capacity in Europe and heavier reliance on imported jet fuel, arguing that the EU should develop a plan to rebuild and expand domestic refining capability.

Implications for cruise travel as peak summer demand builds

ACI Europe has underscored the potential travel impact beyond aviation alone, particularly as Europe’s cruise season gets underway. European cruise itineraries often depend on passengers flying in from overseas, especially North America, to reach turnaround ports on fixed embarkation days.

If jet fuel prices rise further, airlines can face higher operating costs that may translate into higher airfares and additional fees, and any supply strain that reduces flight connectivity can increase the risk of delays and missed embarkation connections during peak travel weeks. ACI Europe has framed AccelerateEU and the monitoring push as a way to prevent late-breaking disruptions that can cascade through airline networks.

Price pressure and taxes: ACI Europe’s call for immediate relief

Alongside supply-focused measures, Jankovec said EU member states should move to “urgently suspend aviation taxes” to reduce the impact of higher fuel prices on passengers.

With AccelerateEU moving into implementation, ACI Europe has continued to tie the urgency of these steps to how quickly stable passage through the Strait of Hormuz can be restored, while emphasizing that airports are currently operating normally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are European airports experiencing jet fuel shortages right now?

No. ACI Europe said airports are not currently facing jet fuel shortages and that flight operations are proceeding normally.

When could jet fuel shortages become a systemic problem in Europe?

ACI Europe has warned that systemic shortages could occur within weeks if stability is not restored to transit through the Strait of Hormuz and if alternative supply and monitoring measures are not put in place.

What is the EU Fuel Observatory?

It is a planned EU-level tool under the Commission’s AccelerateEU package to map jet fuel supply and available stocks across the European airport network, improving visibility into supply chains and reserves.

Why does the Commission plan mention anti-tankering?

AccelerateEU includes clarifying flexibilities in EU rules related to anti-tankering, which can affect how airlines manage fuel uplift decisions during volatile supply and pricing conditions.

How could jet fuel volatility affect cruise passengers traveling to Europe?

ACI Europe said higher jet fuel costs can contribute to higher airfares and added fees, and that any supply strain that reduces flight connectivity could increase the risk of delays or missed embarkation connections, especially during peak summer cruise travel weeks.