Europe weighs US jet fuel imports as Gulf supplies slow
European aviation bodies are urging wider acceptance of US-made jet fuel as airlines face higher prices and the risk of shortages linked to the war in the Middle East.
The move is being discussed as Gulf supplies of the main European fuel grade have slowed sharply.
The International Air Transport Association has said broader acceptance of US-grade jet fuel could help ease potential shortages.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has also issued safety guidance on how US supplies could be introduced into the European market and what risks would need to be managed.
The price of jet fuel used by most European airlines has risen by about half since the start of the war, according to the supplied material.
Supplies of Jet A-1 from the Gulf region have slowed to a trickle, leaving Europe more exposed because it normally relies heavily on imports from that region.
The issue matters now because airlines are facing a supply chain squeeze at the same time as fuel costs are rising.
Increased shipments from the US have helped cover part of the shortfall, but many US refineries are not set up to produce Jet A-1, limiting how much extra fuel can be sent across the Atlantic.
The two main commercial aviation fuels are Jet A-1, the global standard used in most international operations, and Jet A, which is mainly used in North America.
