EU Transport Chief: Airlines Must Reimburse for Fuel Price Cancellations, Europe Has Jet Fuel Supplies

EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated that airlines must continue to reimburse passengers for flight cancellations caused by high energy prices, rejecting claims of jet fuel shortages in Europe. He clarified that rising kerosene costs are part of doing business and are not considered extraordinary circumstances, thus requiring compensation for passengers.

Tzitzikostas asserted that Europe «can sustain jet fuel supplies for a long period», despite warnings from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and other EU commissioners about potential shortages. He acknowledged the situation is «tight» but maintained that existing EU rules are flexible enough. The European Commission will issue new guidelines this week for airlines and passengers, reinforcing that managing high fuel costs is a normal part of airline business.

He also confirmed that requirements for airlines to use their allocated take-off and landing slots will be maintained, meaning operators cancelling flights due to high prices risk losing their slots. Tzitzikostas expects a limited impact on European tourism, with intra-European travel compensating for any decline in visitors from the Middle East.