Germany’s main aviation lobby on Friday pressed European institutions to mobilize strategic jet fuel stocks and increase transparency in kerosene availability as concerns over supply have mounted in the wake of the Iran war.
The lobby group, BDL, which represents German airlines and airport operators, recommended that the German government require jet fuel producers and storage operators to disclose the quantities of kerosene they hold. BDL said such reporting would help authorities and industry participants better understand immediate supply levels.
In addition to reporting mandates, BDL urged that airports, airlines and other relevant industry participants be explicitly included in the European Commission’s crisis response programme. The group framed this inclusion as part of a coordinated approach to managing potential shortages.
BDL made several policy proposals intended as temporary measures to ease pressure on carriers. The group proposed suspending rules that mandate the use of specified volumes of sustainable jet fuel. It also suggested temporarily lowering the fees airlines pay for CO2 emissions under the European Union’s Emissions Trading System.
EU officials responded by saying the bloc is preparing a set of measures aimed at addressing the supply squeeze and at maximizing refinery output. Those proposals are due to be published on April 22.
European airlines have issued warnings that jet fuel shortages could materialize within weeks because of the Iran war, raising the prospect of travel disruption ahead of the summer season. The warnings from carriers have contributed to the push by the aviation lobby to seek both greater visibility into stocks and temporary regulatory relief.
The debate centers on short-term steps to stabilize fuel availability and to ensure industry stakeholders are integrated into crisis planning. The measures BDL has proposed include both operational transparency requirements and temporary adjustments to sustainability and emissions obligations for airlines.