Four Italian airports have been warned that they may have to introduce fuel restrictions, which is emerging as yet another collateral impact of the war in the Middle East.
According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued over the weekend, airports in Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice, all of which are linked to supplier Air BP Italia, “may be subject to restrictions”. The advisory states that, due to limited fuel availability, refuelling services for operators contractually linked to Air BP Italia will be affected.
It's starting in Europe🇪🇺
— Jack Prandelli (@jackprandelli) April 5, 2026
Italy just rationed jet fuel at four airports.
This is an operational crisis.
The managed demand destruction I've been writing about for weeks just landed on European soil.
Think about what this means:
✈️ Flights getting turned away without fuel
🛫… pic.twitter.com/XGYhh6JOZ0
Air BP, a subsidiary of the British oil giant BP, has indicated that priority will be given to essential services, including medical and state flights, as well as flights exceeding three hours. For shorter routes, aircraft may be capped at 2,000 litres of fuel. The measures are expected to remain in place until at least 9 April.
Italian airport operator Save SpA, which manages the airports in Venice, Treviso and Verona, told Corriere della Sera that the limitations relate to a single supplier and are not considered significant, as other providers remain active.
Air BP Italia released a communication to airlines on Saturday, regarding limitations on refueling at four airports (Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice ), has nevertheless raised the alarm in an increasingly complex scenario where the war in the Middle East continues to… pic.twitter.com/JLgmySkhKH
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 5, 2026
While the immediate impact appears limited, Pierluigi Di Palma, head of Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC, said the situation remains “under control”, while acknowledging that risks could emerge after April should supply pressures persist.
The effects are already being felt as constraints in the Strait are limiting the flow of crude oil, gas, and refined products, including jet fuel, through one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.
Europe is particularly vulnerable, as it is a major importer of jet fuel from the Persian Gulf. In recent years, this has accounted for roughly 30–45% of imports into the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Against this backdrop, Giorgia Meloni visited Gulf countries at the end of last week to discuss energy security and ensure continued access to critical supplies, signalling growing concern at the highest political level.
In a trip that included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to discuss tensions brought about by the US-Israeli war on Iran, Italian PM Meloni emphasized the importance of the Gulf to Italian and European national security. pic.twitter.com/veqgpQISSc
— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) April 5, 2026
While Italian airports are among the first in Europe to experience operational pressure, the situation could escalate. Heathrow Airport and other UK hubs are particularly vulnerable, with early signs of fuel-related disruption already reported, as around 25% of their jet fuel supply comes from Kuwait. France and Portugal could also face knock-on effects.
Airlines are preparing for a prolonged crisis. Lufthansa has drawn up contingency plans, including the potential grounding of aircraft if fuel availability worsens. The group has hedged around 80% of its fuel requirements for 2026, which provides some protection against price fluctuations, but leaves it exposed to supply disruptions.
In the United States, some carriers have already announced cancellations as Brent crude prices surged past the $100 mark following the outbreak of hostilities.
Warning signs are also emerging in the fuel market. Last week, the International Air Transport Association reported that the average price of jet fuel was $195 per barrel, which is more than double last year’s average. Meanwhile, imports into Europe dropped sharply from 602,000 to 253,000 metric tonnes in March 2026.
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, said that current reserves should be sufficient for the coming weeks, but added that the situation could change rapidly if disruptions to flows from the Middle East persist.
