The disruption of global oil supply caused by the war in Iran has added more than $100 to the cost of long-haul flights departing from Europe, a development likely to lead to higher ticket prices, according to analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E).
The increase in jet fuel prices has raised the average fuel cost by €88 per passenger for long-haul flights departing from Europe and by €29 for flights within Europe, the group said in an analysis published on Tuesday.
Fuel price surge impacts aviation
The analysis compares fuel prices on April 16 with those recorded shortly before the start of the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
According to T&E estimates, fuel for a flight from Barcelona to Berlin would cost €26 more per passenger, while a long-haul journey from Paris to New York would cost €129 more in fuel.
European airlines are preparing for a difficult spring and summer season as jet fuel prices have risen to more than $100 per barrel since the start of the conflict in Iran. Concerns are also increasing that supply shortages could lead to flight cancellations.
EU preparing response
The European Union is expected to respond on Wednesday with guidelines on managing the limited supply of jet fuel.
T&E calculated the average fuel consumption across all airline routes departing from Europe and divided that figure by the number of passengers in order to estimate how much the rise in fuel prices would add to the cost per traveller.
Airlines warn of higher ticket prices
Airline executives from carriers including Lufthansa, Ryanair and Air France-KLM said in March that higher fuel costs are likely to be passed on to consumers if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a prolonged period.
T&E said its calculations showed that the additional costs caused by rising fuel prices are far higher than the expenses airlines face in complying with European Union climate policies.
“The crisis in the Middle East proves that our real vulnerability is a tank full of foreign oil, not the laws designed to tackle climate change,” said Diane Vitry, aviation director at T&E.
Airlines have called for the removal of certain EU climate policies, including a mandate requiring the use of synthetic green jet fuel from 2030, as well as a revision of upcoming carbon pricing rules.
Source: CNA