As Donald Trump looks to clear ships through the Strait of Hormuz, European Airlines are reportedly contemplating switching to US jet fuel to avoid a travel crisis
European airlines should consider switching to US-made jet fuel as concerns grow over shortages caused by the Iran oil crisis, a trade body has said. It comes as US President Donald Trump has continued attempts to ease the crisis by reopening the Strait of Hormuz, so far unsuccessfully.
The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents carriers, said its European members could “ease some pressure” by changing the type of fuel they use.
Commercial aviation primarily relies on two fuel grades: Jet A-1, which is used across most of the world, and Jet A, which is primarily used in North America.
They are similar, with the main difference being that Jet A-1 has a lower maximum freezing point, providing more flexibility on long-haul and polar routes.
Jet A is largely produced outside the Gulf, from where fuel supplies are constrained by Iran’s restrictions on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iata’s director of flight and technical operations Stuart Fox wrote in a blog that using Jet A “could give airlines facing a possible shortfall in fuel supply more options”.
He suggested this could “help the industry make better use of the fuel we have” and “keep schedules intact”.
He went on: “Fuel supply could come under pressure if the war in the Middle East continues.
“Using Jet A, which is produced at scale outside the Gulf, could be a practical way to help ease some pressure on existing supply chains.
“This would have to be done through a controlled transition from one approved fuel grade to another. In normal times, that flexibility might not be noticeable. But in today’s circumstances it’s critical to keeping the whole system moving.”
Mr Fox explained that airlines wanting to switch from Jet A-1 to Jet A would need to take vital safety measures such as accounting for the higher freezing point, and ensuring crews are fully aware of what fuel is on board.
On Friday, British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group warned its profits will be hit as it expects to spend about two billion euro (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year.
Chief executive Luis Gallego said he does not believe the group will suffer “any interruption for the summer” in terms of fuel supply.
It comes as Iran’s leadership has been branded “lunatics” by Donald Trump after three US destroyers were targeted by missiles, drones and small boats in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said the “unprovoked” attacks were successfully intercepted and none of the warships were hit.
In response, strikes were carried out against the “Iranian military facilities responsible”, including launch sites and command and control centres. US headquarters said it did not seek escalation but “remains positioned and ready to protect American forces”.
Following the exchange, Trump warned Tehran that the US would “knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently” if they did not sign a deal to end the conflict “fast”.
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