Iran war fuel hike adds 104 dollars to long haul flights
Iran war fuel hikes added 104 dollars to long-haul flights from Europe. T&E reports these costs exceed climate policy impacts as the EU prepares guidelines.
Disruption to global oil supplies resulting from the conflict involving Iran has added more than $100 to the price of long-haul flights departing from Europe, a cost spike that is expected to trigger higher ticket prices for travelers. According to a study by the campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E), 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 and 29 euros on flights within the continent. The analysis compared prices as of April 16 with those recorded just before the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran began on February 28.
The surge in energy costs, which has impacted global benchmarks such as Brent Crude Oil and West Texas Oil, means jet fuel for a flight from Barcelona to Berlin is now 26 euros more expensive per passenger. Meanwhile, a long-haul trip from Paris to New York is estimated to cost 129 euros more in fuel. European airlines are preparing for a challenging spring and summer, with jet fuel prices having risen to well over $100 a barrel and concerns growing that shortages could lead to flight cancellations.
Airline executives from carriers including Lufthansa, RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC, and AIR FRANCE-KLM stated in March that they were likely to pass on higher fuel costs to consumers if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed longer-term. T&E said its calculations showed the extra costs from the fuel price spike were far larger than the costs airlines face from complying with European Union climate change policies.
Diane Vitry, director of aviation at T&E, noted that the crisis highlights the region's dependence on foreign energy sources.
The Middle East crisis proves that our real vulnerability is a tank filled with foreign oil, not the laws designed to fix it.
In response to the supply volatility, the European Union is set to release guidelines on managing limited jet fuel supply on Wednesday. While some airlines have called for a rollback of climate policies, including a 2030 mandate to use synthetic green jet fuel and upcoming carbon pricing rules, the EU is expected to push for energy independence through greater investments in sustainable fuel alternatives.
