EU plans aviation fuel measures amid Hormuz disruption

The European Union will propose measures to “optimize” the distribution of aviation fuel among member states and help find alternative supplies, as energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain blocked, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

The European Commission is expected to announce on Wednesday that it will propose these measures next month, according to a draft document seen by Bloomberg. About 40% of the bloc’s aviation fuel demand is imported, and half of it passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Next month, the Commission will also issue guidelines outlining flexibilities in existing legislation, in areas such as airport slot allocations and the consequences of flight cancellations due to fuel shortages. It will also address the practice of carrying extra fuel, where aircraft load additional fuel at departure to avoid buying more expensive fuel at the destination.

If these measures prove insufficient, the Commission may propose temporary changes to the rules, according to the draft, which could still be modified. Brussels will also review regional oil stockpiles, create an observatory to map fuel supply, and take steps to maximize refining capacity and boost domestic production of advanced biofuels.

Although Europe currently has enough fuel to avoid a crisis in April, pressure on supplies will increase if the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues. The Dutch airline KLM recently announced it will cancel 80 round-trip flights to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol next month due to rising costs.

The Commission’s plan aims to strengthen the EU’s resilience to future fuel price shocks and includes a major push toward electrification of the economy, in order to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.