Europeans planning summer holidays face a turbulent season as a deepening jet fuel crisis forces major airlines to cancel flights and impose steep surcharges. The disruption, rooted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has sent jet fuel prices soaring to twice their previous levels, threatening to ground vacations across the continent.
Airlines React as Fuel Costs Bite
Scandinavian Airlines has cancelled about a thousand departures, while Lufthansa Group has cut 20,000 routes from its summer schedule. Air France-KLM is now applying a €100 surcharge on long-distance tickets, a move that could reshape travel budgets for families heading to destinations like Alicante, recently named Europe's top trending summer destination for 2026.
EU refineries produce roughly 70% of the bloc's jet fuel, with the remainder typically imported from the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global oil transit—has disrupted those imports, driving up costs and reducing available supply. The International Energy Agency last week warned that Europe has approximately six weeks of jet fuel reserves left, a timeline that could lead to further cancellations if the crisis persists.
Brussels vs. Airlines: A Clash of Narratives
The European Commission has sought to downplay the severity, arguing that flight cancellations stem from airlines' own lack of profitability rather than genuine shortages. Yet the Commission has also launched AccelerateEU, a plan to coordinate emergency fuel supplies and encourage member states to share remaining reserves. The EU is exploring new imports from the United States, though US jet fuel follows slightly different chemical standards, complicating integration.
EU transport ministers, meeting ahead of this week's informal summit in Cyprus, have advised Europeans to 'neutralise demand' by switching to public transport and electric bikes. While environmentally sound, the suggestion overlooks practical realities: an e-bike cannot cover the distance from Brussels to Ibiza. The energy crisis debate is expected to dominate the summit agenda, though it remains unclear how leaders themselves plan to travel there.
The broader economic context adds urgency. The German business outlook has plummeted to its lowest level since the 2022 energy crisis, and the US-Iran ceasefire is on the brink of collapse, further destabilising the Hormuz region. Turkey is hosting middle powers in Antalya to search for alternative trade routes, but no quick fix is in sight.
For now, travellers should check their flight status and bank balance before packing. The 'Surcharge Summer' is here, and it may be only the beginning.
