Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations

Trade body warns that smaller airports face collapse as Middle East crisis doubles jet fuel prices and EU entry system adds delays. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations

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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. The warning comes as 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. Although airlines insist that there are currently no supply issues within the normal four- to six-week horizon, the trade body says the combination of high fuel prices and passenger delays caused by the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is creating a perfect storm for regional hubs. The trade body, representing airport operators across Europe, highlighted that smaller airports often depend on a limited number of routes and carriers. If airlines cancel flights due to soaring fuel costs, these airports could face a sudden drop in passenger numbers and revenue, making it difficult to cover fixed costs such as staffing, security, and maintenance. Unlike major hubs like London Heathrow or Frankfurt, which have diversified traffic and financial buffers, smaller airports have thinner margins and less capacity to absorb shocks. The crisis in the Middle East has disrupted global oil supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for about a fifth of the world’s petroleum—effectively closed due to the conflict. Jet fuel prices have doubled in recent weeks, according to industry data, forcing airlines to reassess their operations. Some carriers have already begun canceling less profitable routes, particularly those serving regional airports, as they prioritize more lucrative long-haul and business travel destinations. Adding to the pressure, the EU’s new EES, which began phased implementation earlier this year, has caused significant passenger delays at border crossings. The system, designed to automate checks on non-EU travelers, has led to longer queues and processing times, discouraging some travelers from flying and increasing operational costs for airlines. The trade body argues that these delays compound the financial strain on smaller airports, which often lack the infrastructure to handle prolonged...

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