PHOTO: AFP/FILE

AFP, Brussels

How big is the jet fuel threat to Europe’s summer holidays? The EU says it is not facing shortages yet, but it is readying for the worst -- and weighing options including using US kerosene as a back-up.

The US-Israeli war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sent aviation fuel prices soaring and raised the spectre of shortages during Europe’s peak travel season.

On Friday, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) cleared the way for the use of Jet A, a US-produced aviation fuel that is not currently used in Europe except on return flights from the United States for technical reasons.

In new recommendations, EASA said: “A potential introduction of Jet A in Europe or in other parts of the world would not generate safety concerns provided that its introduction is properly managed.”

US-produced Jet A has a higher freezing point from the Jet A‑1 fuel used elsewhere in the world -- making it less resistant to very low temperatures during long-haul flights.

The EASA conditioned its use, warning that its introduction into a system historically running on Jet A‑1 could see “operational” risks when both fuels are used.

At the same time, the European Commission outlined measures available to member states to optimise jet fuel use, including aircraft loading and the allocation of airport slots.

WHAT ABOUT EUROPE’S JET FUEL STOCKS?

Brussels has repeatedly insisted the 27-nation EU is not yet facing jet fuel shortages.

“At this stage, this is more a problem of economics and fuel costs than availability,” Matteo Mirolo, an aviation transport specialist, told AFP.

But “we do have to think about supply, especially as this will not be the last crisis we face.”

Before the Middle East war, around 20 percent of the kerosene consumed in Europe transited through the Strait of Hormuz that has been effectively closed by the conflict.

As prices have surged, several airlines, particularly low-cost carriers, have announced flight cancellations.

If the crisis drags on, Brussels is preparing for possible “security of supply issues,” EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen said Tuesday.

“We are not there yet, but it can happen,” Jorgensen said.

The commission said last week it would establish a “fuel observatory” to track EU production, imports, exports and stock levels of transport fuels. It is expected to be up and running in coming days.

Until now, the EU has lacked a detailed overview of strategic fuel stocks across member states.

European legislation requires countries to hold oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of net imports and 61 days of domestic consumption, but does not distinguish between different products such as petrol, diesel or jet fuel.