Facing an impending kerosene supply shortage, the German Aviation Industry Association (BDL) is demanding assistance from the federal government. The measures include releasing national and European kerosene reserves and reducing passenger rights, as reported by Welt am Sonntag on Friday. The BDL represents airlines and airports across Germany.
"A shortage of kerosene would inevitably result in restricted flight connections," BDL Chief Executive Joachim Lang told the newspaper. "This would cause significant damage to the German and European economy, which relies on good connections to the entire world. The tourism industry would also be affected." Airlines fear dramatic impacts on summer travel business.
According to Welt am Sonntag, consequences of the crisis such as short-notice flight cancellations or delays due to detours caused by airspace closures or necessitated by fuel stops should be recognized as "extraordinary circumstances" under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation. In such cases, stranded air passengers would have no entitlement to compensation.
According to the report, the association presented a "seven-point plan." Additional demands include short-term allocation of transit rights for the NATO pipeline system and the Central Europe Pipeline System to better supply Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn, Munich, and Zurich airports with kerosene.
Furthermore, the BDL seeks short-term approval of the Jet-A kerosene category in addition to the EU standard Jet-A1. Jet A is primarily used in the United States according to the report, and airlines hope the expanded approval will create more import possibilities from overseas.
The EU Commission warned on Tuesday of potential kerosene shortages due to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. A spokesperson said refineries within the EU currently cover approximately 70 percent of kerosene consumption, with the EU dependent on imports for the remainder. Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) currently sees no shortages of aircraft fuel in Germany: "For the moment I cannot confirm concerns about shortages," she said on Thursday.
The Iran war has triggered a sharp increase in kerosene prices, even more pronounced than crude oil. Numerous airlines on all continents have raised their fares and suspended flights for security or profitability reasons.
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