Italian airports introduce temporary fuel limits as Iran war spikes prices
Four airports hit by the fuel restrictions as one airline warns higher costs could lead to higher fares
Several Italian airports have introduced temporary fuel restrictions, prioritising emergency and long-haul flights as supply concerns grow due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The measures affect Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice airports, where jet fuel availability has been rationed in recent days.
Malta has daily connecting flights to the four popular Italian destinations. It is yet unknown if and how the fuel restrictions will impact the connecting flights.
According to Italian media reports, Air BP Italia, one of the country’s main fuel suppliers, issued an aeronautical notice to airlines (NOTAM) warning that fuel supplies at the four airports will be limited until April 9.
The company, which is part of the British energy giant BP, said under the restrictions, priority will be given to air ambulances, state flights and flights lasting more than three hours. Other aircraft will be refuelled on a reduced basis.
At Bologna and Venice, other aircraft are limited to 2,000 litres of fuel, while in Treviso the cap is set at 2,500 litres. No specific limit has been imposed at Milan Linate.
The most serious situation appears to be at Venice airport, where pilots have been explicitly advised to refuel before arrival.
The shortages come amid wider disruption to global energy supplies following the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipments. The development has contributed to rising fuel prices and tighter availability of jet fuel across parts of Europe.
However, airport operator SAVE Group, the company managing the airports of Venice, Treviso and Verona, sought to reassure passengers, describing the situation as limited in scope.
“The issue concerns only one supplier,” the company said, adding that alternative providers continue to serve most airlines. It also stressed that operations remain unaffected, with no restrictions on intercontinental or Schengen flights.
Airlines are nevertheless warning of potential knock-on effects if the crisis continues.
Ryanair was quoted in a report by Il Messaggero as saying it “cannot rule out” risks to fuel supply at some European airports if the disruption persists into June. The airline added that fuel prices doubled in March and predicted higher airfares in the coming months.
“We expect all airlines to pass on these higher costs,” it said, urging passengers to book early to avoid price increases during the summer season.
A Ryanair spokesperson told TG3 its fuel suppliers can only guarantee supplies "until the middle or the end of May".
EasyJet, meanwhile, said it was not currently experiencing fuel supply issues. According to a report by The Guardian, its chief executive, Kenton Jarvis, said the airline remained confident about availability, though he also warned that fares could rise as fuel hedging protections begin to unwind.