Jet fuel shortage? Don’t worry about it, say major airlines
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More than six weeks after international warnings that Europe could run out of jet fuel, at least two major global carriers are telling travellers it is safe to book summer holidays there, saying they do not expect shortages during the busy travel season.
Air Canada is telling customers they should not be concerned about jet fuel. A marketing email seen by CBC News offered discounts to Europe, the Middle East and Africa while stating, in bold text, “there is no fuel shortage affecting our operations, including across Europe, and we do not anticipate any significant impact through the summer.”
European airline Lufthansa wrote in an online post that “most European airlines are confident there will be no jet fuel shortage this summer,” confirming that applied to its own operations as well.
That comes months after the German airline cancelled tens of thousands of short-haul flights through October, saying in April the move would save around 40,000 tonnes of jet fuel.
Ireland-based Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, is discounting summer airfares to attract customers. In an investor call in mid-May, CEO Michael O’Leary cited “almost zero concerns” about fuel supplies in Europe.
It’s a big shift from April, when airlines operating in Europe were facing heavy concerns about fuel supplies. The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said at the time there were “maybe six weeks or so [of] jet fuel left,” as oil supplies were blockaded because of the Iran war.
Air Canada ‘going to get their fuel,’ analyst says
Air Canada’s move to reassure customers that it’s safe to book flights to and from Europe surprised one Calgary-based industry expert.
“I have never seen an air carrier come out, particularly at the start of the busiest season, and say, don’t worry about fuel,” said independent aviation analyst Rick Erickson.
However, Erickson said he was fairly confident the Canadian flag carrier is a large enough player that, even through potential shortages, it would be able to take off.
“I think they’re going to get their fuel,” he said. “They’re on the A-list, and if the fuel becomes any kind of an issue, the Air Canada planes will get filled first.”
Erickson speculated that Air Canada may have sent the message because it could be noticing a downturn in bookings to Europe.
In a statement emailed to CBC News, Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said the company is still seeing strong demand for flights to Europe.
“There has been ongoing…
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