Europe may run out of jet fuel within weeks if Middle‑East supply disruptions continue, the International Energy Agency's executive director Fatih Birol warned. He said stocks could reach a critical point by June unless Europe replaces at least half of the jet fuel it previously imported from the Gulf, which has supplied about 75 % of the continent's needs. The Strait of Hormuz has been affected for more than six weeks, raising the risk of flight cancellations and broader strain on the aviation sector. The IEA noted that exporters are seeking alternatives from the United States, Africa and other regions, with analysts pointing to increased shipments from countries such as Nigeria. Even a surge in U.S. exports would not fully offset the lost Gulf volumes. "If Europe was unable to replace more than 50% of its Middle Eastern imports, physical shortages may emerge at select airports, resulting in flight cancellations and demand destruction," the agency wrote. Argus Media's Amaar Khan added that a shortage is "looking more and more likely" and that major hubs like Heathrow would be favoured over smaller airports. easyJet reported about £25 million extra fuel costs in March, while KLM said it will cancel roughly 160 European flights next month. The European Commission said there is currently "no evidence of fuel shortages" but acknowledged possible future issues and said coordination groups are meeting regularly to monitor supply stability.
IEA executive director Fatih Birol's warning signals an imminent jet‑fuel crunch in Europe. Higher fuel costs and possible flight cancellations could translate into more expensive airline tickets for Nigerians travelling to Europe or shipping goods via European carriers. Reduced flight options at smaller airports may also limit connections for Nigerians relying on regional hubs to reach major European gateways.
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