Brussels: Europe’s airports today welcomed AccelerateEU, the European Commission’s dynamic response plan to the energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

The plan outlines a series of critical measures aimed in particular at safeguarding the continued availability of jet fuel across the European airport network. Those measures largely reflect the key asks ACI EUROPE made in its letter sent on 9 April to the EU Energy and Transport Commissioners – with the confirmation of:

• The establishment of an EU Fuel Observatory, mapping the supply and available stocks in the EU of jet fuel.

• Immediate coordination with Member States, fuel suppliers, airlines and airports of alternative sources of jet fuel supply and proposals to optimise jet fuel supply distribution across Member States to ensure availability across all regions and airports.

• Clarification of existing flexibilities under EU legislation as regards anti‑tankering and the use of other imported fuels to address the consequences of potential jet fuel shortages.

• Assessment of the need to review EU rules on strategic stocks to include specific jet fuel requirements.
  
  

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said:“ No airport in Europe is currently facing jet fuel shortages, and flight operations are proceeding normally. But the plan adopted today is the adequate strategy and response to mitigate potential jet fuel shortage risks, given how uncertain the situation remains over the resumption of the safe and stable passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Europe’s airport are fully committed to support its implementation and to cooperate with all stakeholders involved – which will certainly require more transparency on the side of fuel suppliers.”

“This is all about protecting vital air connectivity for citizens and businesses, not least the wider tourism sector which air travel enables. And for that, in addition to what the Commission has laid out, we need Member States to urgently suspend their aviation taxes, so as to cushion price impacts.”

He concluded: “The past weeks have exposed weaknesses in the EU’s refining capacity and our dependency on imports. This only reinforces the urgency of doubling down on EU and national support for decarbonisation through the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and the implementation of the AZEA roadmap published last Monday.”