Airlines for Europe (A4E) has called on the European Union to introduce a package of temporary measures to help airlines deal with the operational fallout from the conflict in the Middle East.
The association, which represents 16 airline members accounting for around 80% of European air traffic, is asking Brussels to monitor jet fuel availability more closely and provide legal clarity on how existing rules should apply in the current environment.
A4E managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou said the measures being requested are intended to help the industry get through the immediate disruption, while also ensuring that Europe is better prepared for similar challenges in future.
Among the group’s requests is confirmation from the EU that airspace closures caused by conflict, and the resulting operational consequences, should be treated as justified non-use of slots. A4E is also seeking confirmation that fuel supply shortages should qualify for justified non-use, limited to the affected airport and the duration of the shortage.
The association is also pressing for a temporary relaxation of anti-tankering rules, which currently require airlines to uplift 90% of their fuel at EU airports. In addition, it wants a temporary suspension of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a cap and reduction in ETS costs to address price volatility, a temporary full rebate on SAF under ETS SAF allowances, and permission for the import and use of Jet A kerosene in the EU.
A4E is also calling for the temporary removal of aviation taxes where these apply, arguing that this would help preserve connectivity, maintain competitiveness and reduce the financial pressure caused by rising fuel prices.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the group is also advocating longer-term structural measures to reduce future exposure to fuel shortages. These include a targeted amendment to the Oil Stocks Directive to introduce kerosene provisions, collective EU purchasing of kerosene to ease supply risk, and targeted refinery obligations to protect jet fuel availability.
Earlier this week, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe warned the EU that airports could begin running out of jet fuel within the next three weeks unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon. ACI also called for an EU monitoring platform to coordinate the response and map supply availability, as well as imports from alternative locations and joint procurement across member states.
With jet fuel costs continuing to rise, the pressure is also expected to feed through to airfreight rates in the coming weeks.
