Fuel shortages threaten Europe's private aviation during peak summer season

Private jet charter companies are preparing for potential aviation fuel shortages across Europe this summer as ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy supplies.

Concerns intensified in early July after private aircraft were temporarily unable to refuel at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport on the French Riviera, one of Europe's busiest hubs for business aviation, as highlighted by the Financial Times.

The airport's largest ground handler for private charter operators was forced to prioritize scheduled commercial airlines during peak periods because of fuel supply constraints.

Airport officials sought to play down the incident, telling the Financial Times that "there has been a little shortage during a couple of hours last week, but the issue is now over."

Despite those assurances, some private aviation companies are taking precautionary measures.

California-based Silver Air Private Jets said it plans to carry additional fuel on flights to Europe this summer to reduce the risk of disruptions.

Founder and CEO Jason Middleton told the Financial Times that even if airports continue receiving fuel deliveries, private operators could still face restrictions if supplies are reserved for commercial airlines.

"Maybe [the airports] don't run out of fuel," Middleton said, adding that airports could instead decide "they're no longer going to sell fuel to general aviation, but are going to reserve it all for the airlines. I think that might happen this summer."

Other operators may alter flight routes or destinations to avoid airports facing supply constraints, according to EnterJet, an on-demand private flight booking platform.

"Some airports and regions are more likely to be affected than others, so operators may need to adjust routings or positioning to avoid supply-constrained airports, which would add to costs," EnterJet founder Charles Robinson told the newspaper.

Private aviation in turmoil

Fuel remains the largest single operating expense for private jet charters, typically accounting for between 35% and 50% of the total cost of a flight.

Following the outbreak of war in the Middle East in February, aviation fuel prices briefly doubled before easing back toward pre-conflict levels. However, supply remains constrained.

A key factor has been the disruption of exports through the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman that serves as a vital route for global oil shipments. The bottleneck affects a significant share of Europe's crude oil imports, tightening fuel supplies despite the recent stabilization in prices.

Industry sources expect private jet charter prices to remain 20% to 40% higher this summer than during the 2025 travel season as operators contend with elevated costs and supply uncertainty.

The impact extends beyond business aviation. Holiday charter airlines have introduced fuel surcharges for tour operators, while scheduled carriers have reduced services on less profitable routes to manage rising operating costs.

German flag carrier Lufthansa has been among the airlines adjusting its network, cutting around 20,000 flights through October and permanently shutting down its regional subsidiary, CityLine, as the industry adapts to higher fuel costs and continuing supply pressures.

By Nazrin Sadigova