passenger delays

European smaller airports face 'existential threat' from jet fuel price surge

Europe's smaller airports face an existential threat if jet fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East crisis lead to widespread route cancellations, the Airports Council of Europe has warned. The US-Israel war on Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have doubled jet fuel prices, prompting some carriers to cancel flights. Regional airports, still 30% below 2019 traffic levels since Covid, are most exposed as demand on their routes is more price-sensitive. Lufthansa has already axed 20,000 summer flights via CityLine. Industry leaders warned airlines with weak liquidity positions will face pressure in September.