Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations
Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations
Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations
High fuel prices and passenger delays as result of EU’s EES entry-exit system leading to problems, says trade body
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 there are currently no supply problems 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.