Topic analysis

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

The Airports Council of Europe (ACI Europe) has warned that Europe’s smaller regional airports face an existential threat due to soaring jet fuel prices tied to the Middle East crisis, ongoing post-Covid recovery challenges (with traffic still 30% below 2019 levels), and potential disruptions from the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES). While airlines insist short-term fuel supplies are stable, industry leaders caution that future shortages could lead to flight cancellations, and carriers with weak liquidity may face severe financial pressure in autumn.