Ryanair's CEO said the situation regarding jet fuel in Europe is improving

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair Holdings Plc, said that the threat of an aviation fuel shortage in Europe has eased for the coming months. 

Bloomberg reports this, noting that supplies have stabilized thanks to resources from the U.S., Norway, and North Africa, which have offset the shortage from the Middle East. Oil companies have confirmed that there is no risk of supply disruptions through mid-June 2026.

Despite the improvement in the fuel situation, O’Leary expressed concern about the pace of ticket bookings for the summer season. Due to the military conflict in Iran and shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, some customers are postponing flight bookings for June through August. Previously, airlines had warned that supplies could run out within a few weeks, but new logistics chains have helped avoid a critical scenario.

Ryanair’s CEO’s optimism was echoed by Wizz Air CEO József Váradi, who confirmed sufficient fuel supplies for the coming month. At the same time, airlines do not rule out an increase in ticket prices due to oil price fluctuations, which have exceeded $100 per barrel. The stability of air travel in Europe remains dependent on further de-escalation in the Middle East and the overall security situation, which is also influenced by Russian aggression.

On April 16, Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, stated that Europe has only six weeks’ worth of jet fuel reserves left.

European airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, have appealed to authorities to lower taxes, provide incentives, and allow the use of Jet A fuel due to the emergency situation in the Middle East. This is important because the conflict significantly impacts their operations and leads to rising fares.