The European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, speaking on Friday at a press conference, in Nicosia, after the informal meeting of EU Tourism Ministers, stressed that reports saying that jet fuel in the EU is only sufficient for the next six weeks, are “not an accurate reflection of the situation.”
He noted that the market is managing the tight situation caused by the disturbance in the supply chain, due to the Middle East crisis, and underlined that “there is no indication of systematic fuel shortages that would lead to widespread flight cancellations across Europe.”
He explained that jet fuel is part of a global, continuously supplied market and noted that Europe has significant refining capacity. “We are aware that jet fuel markets are tighter and they are being closely monitored,” the Commissioner said and added that “Europe maintains emergency stocks in line with EU law, which can be released, if needed, in coordination with the market.”
Responding to a question about the current challenges in air transports, he acknowledged that the increase of jet fuel prices is clearly a problem, because this will raise the price of tickets and will decrease interest among passengers to fly. He also noted that some European airlines, had to cancel some of their routes, because they were already not profitable.
“What we have been advocating for, is that the only solution for the energy supply to return to what it was before the war is, of course, the end of the war and the immediate start of negotiations. And this is why the European Union is supportive of the immediate restart of negotiations in the Middle East and the opening of the Straits of Hormuz,” Tzitzikostas said.
Responding to a question on whether the worst case scenario has been considered, the Commissioner said that “we are assessing the situation constantly on a daily basis in collaboration and with constant discussion and consultation with the industry and all the stakeholders and we are ready for any scenario.” He noted that an Extraordinary College discussed the issue two days ago and it will do so again next week.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, who chaired the informal Council in Nicosia, noted that the Cypriot government will analyze the situation at hand. “Above all, I believe that this is a European issue right now and we need to join forces to anticipate these new challenges which exist both for the tourist industry but also for the national societies,” he said.
The Republic of Cyprus currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU for a six-month term that started on January 1st, 2026, as part of a Trio Presidency along with Poland and Denmark.
