Jet-fuel rationing hits four major Italian airports as Hormuz crisis squeezes supplies

Italy’s aviation network woke up on 8 April to discover that the Gulf oil crisis had arrived on its doorstep. Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) issued overnight capped Jet A-1 uplifts at Milan-Linate, Bologna, Venice-Marco Polo and Treviso to just 2,000 litres per aircraft—barely an hour’s flying time for a short-haul A320 or B737. The restriction, confirmed by supplier Air BP Italia, runs at least until 23:59 on 9 April and prioritises medical, state and long-haul flights. The immediate cause is the partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that has cut an estimated 20 percent of global oil flows since late March. While most European carriers hedged fuel prices earlier in the year, the problem now is physical availability, not cost. Ryanair, the single largest operator in the Italian market, says its hedges cover requirements until end-May but warns that a prolonged blockade could force the cancellation of 5–10 percent of its summer programme. Lufthansa has drawn up contingency plans to ground up to 40 aircraft should rationing spread south of the Alps. Operationally, airlines are “tankering” extra fuel into Italy, lengthening block times and increasing payload restrictions. Business-jet operators reported diverting to Genoa and Verona to refuel before positioning to Milan or Venice for passenger pick-up. Travel-management companies are advising corporate travellers to allow longer connection windows and to expect technical stops on regional hops such as Milan–Rome when aircraft arrive light on fuel.



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Airport trade body ACI Europe has renewed its call for the European Commission to allow temporary suspension of the new Schengen Entry/Exit System at affected hubs, warning that simultaneous border-control selfies and fuel-tankering delays could create an operational “perfect storm” come June. Companies with high-frequency shuttles into northern Italy should review duty-of-care protocols and ensure traveller communications cover potential diversions and EU261 reimbursement rules. If diplomacy unlocks Hormuz by mid-April, analysts expect a swift normalisation: fuel prices could fall 30–40 percent within six weeks, mirroring the post-2019 tanker crisis recovery. Until then, organisations should plan for a volatile second quarter and factor fuel-related disruption into relocation timelines and expatriate travel budgets.