Four major airports in northern Italy have implemented jet fuel rationing measures in response to significant supply constraints, creating potential disruptions for airlines and passengers. The restrictions, which are expected to remain in effect until at least 9 April, have been introduced by Air BP Italia, the Italian division of the global energy giant BP.
Affected Airports and Immediate Impact
The aviation hubs impacted by these fuel limitations include Milan Linate, Bologna, Venice, and Treviso. An official aviation notice issued on Saturday explicitly stated that refuelling services for operators contractually linked to Air BP Italia may be subject to restrictions due to the limited fuel availability from the supplier.
According to reports from the Italian news agency Ansa, priority for fuel allocation will be given to ambulance flights, state flights, and journeys exceeding three hours in duration. Consequently, direct domestic routes are likely to be the most affected by these new operational constraints, as they fall outside the priority categories.
Root Causes and Broader Context
Pierluigi Di Palma, the president of ENAC, a French aviation university, clarified that the current fuel shortages are primarily linked to the heavy traffic associated with the Easter holiday period, rather than the ongoing Hormuz blockade. However, he issued a stark warning, noting that if the conflict continues, there will undoubtedly be further consequences for fuel supplies across Europe.
The Save group, which manages Venice, Treviso, and Verona airports, downplayed the significance of the restrictions, emphasising that the issue is related to a single supplier. The company clarified to Ansa that other suppliers at their airports serve the majority of carriers, suggesting a contained impact.
European Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Euronews highlighted that while Italy currently maintains about seven months of supply autonomy, the fragility of the European supply chain remains a central issue for the coming months. This vulnerability raises concerns that fuel shortages could potentially spread to other airports across Europe if the Iran-US war persists.
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has publicly warned of the risk of supply disruptions in Europe during May and June unless the conflict concludes swiftly. This sentiment underscores the precarious nature of continental fuel logistics in the current geopolitical climate.
UK and Global Perspectives
Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, reported that major British and Irish airlines are confident that supplies are sufficient to cover the rest of April. However, he noted that visibility beyond that timeframe is more difficult, indicating uncertainty for future operations.
The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero assured The Independent that jet fuel shipments are continuing to arrive in the country. The UK receives imports from India, the United States, and the Netherlands, supplemented by smaller amounts from a range of other nations, providing a diversified supply base.
In a related development, Air New Zealand announced further cuts to its domestic flight network for May and June, citing the ongoing impact of high jet fuel costs. This move will ground approximately one in every twenty-five flights, illustrating the global ripple effects of fuel market pressures.
