The owner of British Airways has said it does not expect its services across main markets to be affected by the threat of jet fuel shortages "throughout the summer", as supplies are squeezed by the effects of the US-Iran war.
Government request follows contingency planning to stop planes being grounded if Iran war supply shocks continueBusiness live – latest updatesBritish refineries have been asked to maximise jet fuel supply as part of government contingency planning, amid growing fears the Iran war will force planes to be grounded.Energy minister Michael Shanks said the government is closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports, fuel suppliers and other governments, as carriers face rocketing fuel costs as a result of the conflict. Continue reading...
Europe is grappling with a severe jet fuel shortage following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Airlines are competing globally for limited alternative supplies, leading to rising costs and the threat of flight cancellations as the industry faces a critical supply stress test.
California's jet fuel supply has fallen to 2.6 million barrels as of April 17, 2026—the lowest level since 2023—while the state relies on foreign oil for 61.1% of its supply, primarily from Asian refiners. The Middle East conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has disrupted global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, driving jet fuel prices from $2.30/gallon in early 2026 to $4.19/gallon by April 24, with Los Angeles airports seeing prices near $15/gallon. Major airlines including Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue have increased baggage fees to offset rising fuel costs.
Aer Lingus is cancelling approximately 500 flights from its summer schedule, representing about 2% of overall services, citing mandatory aircraft maintenance. Routes affected include Dublin to Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Faro, Zurich, London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. The cancellations come amid global jet fuel supply concerns after the IEA warned Europe has roughly six weeks of fuel reserves, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed by Iran. Travel journalist Simon Calder suggests fuel costs doubling has made some routes unprofitable, while IALPA President Mark Tighe attributes the cuts to pilot shortages.
