Airports Start Reporting Fuel Shortages as Jet Fuel Prices More Than Double

Physical Fuel Shortages at Airports

The aviation fuel crisis has moved beyond rising prices into actual physical shortages at airports. Italian airports — including Milan Linate, Venice Marco Polo, Treviso and Bologna — have implemented temporary refuelling limits, capping fuel uplifts per aircraft to prioritise essential services like long-haul flights, air ambulances and state movements.

Local suppliers stepped in to prevent immediate disruption, but the restrictions highlight just how tight fuel supply has become across Europe.

Why Is This Happening?

The root cause is the ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil transits. The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has intermittently blocked this waterway since early 2026, reducing crude and refined product exports.

Jet fuel prices have more than doubled in some markets compared to pre-conflict levels — a cost that airlines are now struggling to absorb.

Airlines Cutting Flights

The impact is being felt across the industry:

• Ryanair — CEO warned that "continued conflict and supply pressures might lead to a reduction in flights" for summer 2026 if fuel availability remains constrained
• Delta Air Lines — revising growth plans and adjusting capacity forecasts, expecting significantly higher fuel costs in Q2 2026
• Air New Zealand — cutting approximately 4% of flights across May and June
• SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) — scrapped roughly 1,000 services in March and April
• Asian carriers including Vietnam Airlines and AirAsia X — trimming schedules and increasing refuelling stops

What This Means for Travellers in Spain

For anyone flying to or from Spain this summer — whether expats heading back to the UK, tourists coming in, or residents planning holidays — the outlook is concerning:

• Flight cancellations are likely to increase, particularly on lower-demand routes
• Fewer seats will be available as airlines trim capacity
• Airfares will continue to rise as fuel surcharges are passed on to passengers
• Recovery could take months even if transit routes reopen, due to refinery capacity disruptions

This comes on top of the Groundforce ground staff strikes already affecting 12 Spanish airports, creating a double challenge for summer travel plans.

What Should You Do?

If you have flights booked for this summer, keep a close eye on your airline's communications. Book early if you haven't already — available seats are likely to become scarcer and more expensive. Travel insurance that covers cancellations is more important than ever, though check the small print around conflict-related exclusions.

This article is based on reporting from Euro Weekly News, published April 8, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute travel advice.