Iran War Sparks Flight Price Surge: Jet Fuel Costs Add Over €100 to Long-Haul Trips
Disruption to global oil supplies from the Iran war has added more than $100 to the price of long-haul flights departing from Europe, a development that is expected to trigger higher ticket prices for travellers, according to a warning from the campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E).
Sharp Increase in Fuel Costs for European Flights
The analysis by T&E reveals that the rise in jet fuel prices has increased the average fuel cost by 88 euros ($104) for each passenger on long-haul flights leaving Europe. For flights within Europe, the increase is 29 euros per passenger.
The study compared prices as of 16 April with those just before the US and Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. For example, jet fuel for a flight from Barcelona to Berlin would now be 26 euros more expensive per passenger, while a long-haul trip from Paris to New York would cost 129 euros more in fuel.
Challenges for Airlines and Potential Flight Cancellations
European airlines are facing a challenging spring and summer season, with jet fuel prices exceeding $100 a barrel since the onset of the Iran war. There is growing concern that shortages could lead to flight cancellations, adding to travel disruptions.
The European Union is set to respond with guidelines on managing limited jet fuel supply, scheduled for release on Wednesday, as part of efforts to address the crisis.
Methodology and Industry Response
T&E calculated the average fuel burn on all flight routes departing from Europe and divided this by the number of departing passengers to determine the cost increase per person due to the fuel price spike.
Airline executives from carriers such as Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Air France-KLM indicated in March that they are likely to pass on higher fuel costs to consumers if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed longer-term.
Climate Policy Implications and Calls for Rollback
T&E noted that the extra costs from the fuel price spike are far larger than the expenses airlines face from complying with EU climate change policies. "The Middle East crisis proves that our real vulnerability is a tank filled with foreign oil, not the laws designed to fix it," said Diane Vitry, director of aviation at T&E.
In response, airlines have called for a rollback of some EU climate policies, including a 2030 mandate to use synthetic green jet fuel and a review of upcoming carbon pricing rules. As part of its package, the EU is set to push for energy independence through greater investments in green jet fuel.
