Trade body says European airlines should switch to US jet fuel to combat flight shortages
Jet A fuel is largely produced outside the Gulf
UsenB
European airlines should consider switching to US-made jet fuel, an industry body has stated, amid rising concerns over shortages caused by the Iran oil crisis.
The International Air Transport Association (Iata), representing global 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, used across most of the world, and Jet A, primarily found in North America.
They are similar, with Jet A-1 featuring a lower maximum freezing point, which provides 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.
