The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has recommended that European airlines consider switching to US-made jet fuel to alleviate potential shortages exacerbated by the Iran oil crisis.
Fuel Grade Differences
Commercial aviation primarily uses two types of fuel: Jet A-1, which is common worldwide, and Jet A, predominantly used in North America. While similar, Jet A-1 has a lower maximum freezing point, offering greater flexibility for long-haul and polar flights. Jet A is largely produced outside the Gulf region, where fuel supplies are constrained by Iran's restrictions on tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iata's Proposal
Stuart Fox, Iata's director of flight and technical operations, wrote in a blog post that adopting Jet A "could give airlines facing a possible shortfall in fuel supply more options." He emphasized that this move could "help the industry make better use of the fuel we have" and "keep schedules intact." Fox added: "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."
Safety Considerations
Fox noted that airlines switching from Jet A-1 to Jet A must implement crucial safety measures, including accounting for the higher freezing point and ensuring crews are fully informed about the fuel type on board.
Industry Impact
On Friday, International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, warned that its profits would be affected, expecting to spend approximately two billion euros (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year. However, IAG chief executive Luis Gallego expressed confidence that the group would not face "any interruption for the summer" regarding fuel supply.
