Flight cancellations in Europe possible as early as next month due to jet fuel shortages — IATA chief

The head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh, has urged Europe to develop "well-coordinated plans" in case limits on aviation fuel are introduced due to the war in the Middle East. 

According to Ukrinform, Euractiv reported this in an article.

Willie Walsh said an assessment from the International Energy Agency that fuel for aircraft could start running out in Europe in six weeks' time was "sobering".

"We have also estimated that by the end of May, we could start to see some cancellations in Europe for lack of jet fuel. This is already happening in parts of Asia," he said in a statement.

The IATA chief stressed that in the event of a fuel shortage, "it's important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary." The projected shortage has been driven by what is described as a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel.

As previously reported, on Saturday Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that control over the Strait of Hormuz had "returned to its previous state" amid a dispute with the United States over its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Photo: Elliott Brown, Flickr