EU says no jet fuel shortage despite Middle East disruptions

The European Commission has reiterated that there is no shortage of jet fuel across the European Union, despite ongoing disruption linked to the crisis in the Middle East.

Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova said the bloc is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for multiple scenarios, while maintaining that supply levels remain stable, The Guardian reports.

“As part of the preparedness, we talk to the citizens and inform them … as we know the situation is not ideal” given the developments in the Middle East, she said.

Hrncirova noted that the Commission’s role is primarily to coordinate and ensure readiness. “Our role is mainly to coordinate and to prepare for different scenarios. We have the oil coordination group that has met last week, and the group will also meet at the end of this week,” she added.

She emphasised that ensuring the availability of aviation fuel remains a priority, highlighting the EU’s strong domestic refining capacity.

“The availability of the jet fuels, obviously, is a priority, and it’s important to say that here in the European Union, we have also a significant capacity to refine the crude oil and to produce the jet fuel, so we are preparing for possible actions, but everything depends on the development of the situation. At this stage, there are no fuel shortages in the EU,” she said.

Asked whether Europeans should proceed with booking summer holidays without concern over possible disruptions, Hrncirova declined to offer guidance.

“I cannot give you such an advice from the podium. It’s totally up to you where do you want to go during the summer,” she said.

She added that the EU is considering flexible response measures and confirmed that the bloc’s upcoming energy package, due to be presented on Wednesday, “will address different elements that are connected to the current crisis.”

By Vafa Guliyeva