Europe's Skies Threatened with Emptiness
Jakarta, VIVA - Europe is at risk of running out of aviation fuel for commercial aircraft if crude oil supplies continue to be disrupted due to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.
Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol has warned of the broad global consequences of what he described as “the biggest energy crisis we have ever faced,” triggered by disruptions to crude oil, natural gas, and other essential supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The bombing campaign by the United States (US) and Israel duo has pushed Iran to close this vital trade route, which carries about 20 percent of global crude oil. The conflict has triggered disruptions in the supply chain that are likely to persist.
“Tanker ships carrying crude oil cannot reach ports in Europe, while viable alternative routes remain limited. So, Europe may only have about six weeks’ supply of aviation fuel. And if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, we will soon hear news of numerous flight cancellations,” stated Fatih, as quoted from the Russia Today website on Monday, 20 April 2026.
He likened the situation to “a very difficult situation” and warned that the longer the disruption continues, the worse the impact on global growth and inflation. The consequences will mean “higher petrol prices, higher gas prices, higher electricity prices.”
The European Union and the United Kingdom are widely seen as the parties most harmed by the Strait of Hormuz blockade due to their heavy dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil after imposing layered sanctions on Russian supplies.
Just at the beginning of this month, London’s Heathrow International Airport in the UK has experienced flight cancellations related to the surge in aviation fuel prices. Meanwhile, Scandinavian airline SAS has reportedly cancelled around 1,000 flights.
Smaller regional UK airlines, Skybus and Aurigny, have also reduced services due to aviation fuel prices surging by about 120 percent, and Air France has been forced to raise fares on long-haul routes.
Nevertheless, Moscow has signalled that it is ready to fill the supply gap in oil to offset the shortages triggered by the Middle East conflict.