Germany's jet fuel crisis threatens summer travel chaos by June

Germany’s aviation sector is facing a severe jet fuel shortage that could disrupt summer travel. The German Aviation Association (BDL) has warned of widespread flight cancellations from June, threatening holiday plans and economic stability. Industry leaders are now pressing the government for urgent solutions to avoid a crisis in the coming weeks. The problem came into sharp focus on 16 April, when Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), cautioned that Europe’s jet fuel reserves could be exhausted within six weeks. The shortage stems from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, which has severely disrupted kerosene supplies.

In response, the BDL has called on the federal government to release national and European kerosene reserves. The association also wants access to the NATO pipeline system—a Cold War-era network originally built to supply military forces with fuel. This move would help secure deliveries to major airports. The BDL is pushing for another measure: approval of Jet A kerosene, a fuel type mainly used in the US. Currently, Europe relies on Jet A-1, but expanding the supply base with Jet A could ease the pressure. Airlines are also asking the government to protect them from compensation claims under EU passenger rights rules, arguing that fuel scarcity is beyond their control.

Without swift action, the kerosene crisis could lead to mass cancellations during the peak summer season. Airlines and industry bodies are urging Berlin to act before the situation worsens. The outcome will determine whether millions of travellers face delays—or whether the government’s intervention can stabilise the market in time.