Natural disasters can cause another crisis for those recovering from opioid addiction
Hurricane Helene creates new challenges for opioid addiction recovery in NC
NPR Topics: News1 min read
Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations
TL;DR
Europe's smaller airports face an existential threat due to potential jet fuel shortages linked to the Middle East crisis, which could lead to widespread flight cancellations. The Airports Council of Europe warns that these airports, already struggling post-Covid, may not survive if airlines cut capacity and raise fares.
Key points
- Smaller airports in Europe face existential threats from jet fuel shortages.
- Jet fuel prices have doubled due to the Middle East crisis.
- Regional airports are still recovering from the Covid pandemic, with traffic 30% below 2019 levels.
Mentioned in this story
EuropeAirports Council of Europe
US-Israel war on Iran
Europe’s smaller airports may not survive if jet fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East crisis lead to widespread route cancellations, the industry’s trade body has warned.
Although airlines insist that there are currently no supply issues within the normal four- to six-week horizon, the US-Israel war on Iran and the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz have doubled the price of jet fuel, prompting some carriers to cancel flights.
The Airports Council of Europe said regional airports were the most exposed and faced an “existential threat” if airlines cut capacity and raised fares, as demand on their routes was generally more price-sensitive – demonstrated when Lufthansa axed 20,000 summer flights operated by its regional subsidiary, CityLine.
Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI Europe, said that smaller regional airports had still not recovered since the Covid pandemic, with traffic still 30% below 2019 levels, while larger ones had bounced back to growth.
He said: “The current levels of jet fuel prices and the prospect of a new cost of living crisis mean that many regional airports across our continent are likely to face both a supply and demand shock. For them, this is nothing short of an existential threat.”
The body said that troubles risked being exacerbated by the full implementation of the EU’s entry-exit system, EES, which in theory should demand that all applicable non-citizens must now submit biometric information on arrival at the border. It reiterated calls to allow the system to be suspended at any point should long queues develop.
The airports’ warning came as the head of the global airlines body, Iata, Willie Walsh, said the current crisis was not yet dampening demand for flying. He added that any jet fuel shortage would affect Asia first, then Europe, and that rationing “could lead to some flight cancellations”.
Airline groups have lobbied for measures including slot alleviation, granted in the UK, which makes it easier to cancel flights without the risk of losing the rights to operate at the same time from a busy airport in future.
Q&A
What is causing the jet fuel shortages affecting European airports?
The jet fuel shortages are triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran and the closure of the strait of Hormuz, which have doubled jet fuel prices.
How have smaller airports in Europe been impacted by the Covid pandemic?
Smaller regional airports in Europe have not fully recovered from the Covid pandemic, with traffic still 30% below 2019 levels.
What are the potential consequences for smaller airports if airlines cancel flights?
If airlines cancel flights, smaller airports may face significant financial challenges, leading to possible closures as they are more vulnerable to price-sensitive demand.
