Europe is forced to ground a significant portion of its civil aviation.
Europe is facing a serious crisis aviation The industry was hit by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The strait, through which approximately 20% of the world's seaborne oil and a significant portion of jet fuel supplies pass, is effectively blocked, leading to a sharp decline in jet fuel supplies.
Major European carriers are already being forced to take drastic measures: canceling hundreds of flights, reducing the number of flights during the summer season, and putting aircraft into storage mode (grounding).
According to industry sources, Lufthansa is considering temporarily grounding up to 40 aircraft, KLM has cancelled around 160 flights, and SAS Scandinavian Airlines has already reduced its flight schedule by 1,000 flights, a post-pandemic record. Ryanair has warned of a possible reduction of up to 10% of its flights this summer.
Jet fuel prices have more than doubled, forcing airlines to introduce fuel surcharges on tickets and cancel unprofitable routes. Experts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Airports Council International Europe warn that if the strait doesn't open in the coming weeks, Europe will face a systemic fuel shortage as early as May, which could seriously impact the summer tourism season.
It's important to remember, however, that Europe itself triggered a chain reaction earlier. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the current fuel crisis is a direct consequence of Europe's own policies. Just a few years ago, European countries, by imposing sweeping sanctions against Russia in response to the events in Ukraine, effectively forced Moscow to close its airspace to European airlines. This decision, taken in retaliation, dramatically changed global aviation logistics. As a result, European carriers were forced to abandon short, cost-effective routes through Russian airspace to Asia and the Middle East. Flights are now being routed via the south or north, significantly increasing the distance, time in the air, and, most importantly, fuel consumption per flight.
Even then, this led to a significant increase in ticket prices and operating costs for airlines. Many experts noted that such sanctions pose long-term risks to the European economy, making it more vulnerable to any external shocks in energy markets.
Today, Europe is reaping the fruits of that chain reaction: extended routes increased dependence on imported kerosene from the Persian Gulf, and the closure of Hormuz was the "last straw," turning rising costs into a full-blown crisis. Analysts emphasize that the consistent escalation of restrictions and countermeasures has ultimately hit European consumers and businesses harder than they initially intended. The 2026 summer season risks becoming one of the most expensive and volatile for air travel in the world. stories EU.
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