The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing bottlenecks at international airports. The federal government is expecting a lack of deliveries, and soon.
April 7, 2026, 3:57 p.mApril 7, 2026, 3:57 p.m
What if the gas pump suddenly runs out? This question is currently troubling international airlines. This also applies to Swiss’s parent company, Lufthansa. The Kranich Group fears that there could be bottlenecks in kerosene supplies if the war in the Middle East continues. “The question of the availability of aviation fuel is already difficult at some Asian airports,” says Grazia Vittadini, board member for technology, IT and innovation “World on Sunday”.
Planes at Zurich Airport: Flying is becoming more expensive due to rising kerosene prices.Image: KEYSTONE
“The longer the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, the more critical the security of supply of kerosene can become,” says Vittadini. According to Vittadini, for passengers of Lufthansa airlines, which also include Edelweiss and Austrian, the increase in oil prices will be largely buffered by a hedging rate of 80 percent of fuel requirements in the current year. “But of course the rising kerosene prices also affect us.” In fact, the Lufthansa Group has recently increased fuel surcharges, as have other airlines. As figures from the airline association Iata showthe price of kerosene has more than doubled since the outbreak of war in Iran.
Michael O’Leary, head of the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, also warns of bottlenecks. O’Leary says he doesn’t expect any major problems before the beginning of May Sky News. But if the war continues, disruptions in the supply chain at European airports in May and June are certainly possible. Up to 25 percent of European demand is exposed to this risk. However, if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened before the end of May, he sees no problems.
The situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz also influences air traffic.Image: keystone
Italian airports affected
Airplane fuel has already been rationed at some Italian airports. According to media reports, BP’s aviation division had to temporarily limit deliveries to airports such as Milan-Linate, Venice, Treviso and Bologna. The reason for this was also the above-average demand during Easter.
An Italian industry paper even said that the limited quantities at Brindisi airport were reserved exclusively for state flights and rescue flights. However, the Italian aviation authority Enac says that the fuel shortage has nothing to do with the Strait of Hormuz, but only with the increased travel volume. Other airlines like United or Scandinavian have already announced flight cancellations, probably – industry experts suspect – because they don’t believe they can sell the tickets, which have become more expensive.
The shortage of kerosene is already noticeable in Italy.Image: keystone
And what is the situation like here? “Switzerland’s supply of all mineral oil products is currently guaranteed,” says Thomas Grünwald, spokesman for the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (BWL). This also applies to kerosene. “Assuming that the ordered quantities arrive, Switzerland’s supply is expected to be secured until the end of April.” However, this will hardly appease passengers from Switzerland if they suddenly cannot fly back from Asia due to a lack of kerosene.
Delivery stops are threatening from May
However, Grünwald emphasizes that this assessment of the situation can change. “The reason for this is the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to the oil infrastructure, which is leading to a lack of deliveries on the world market.” From May onwards, the lack of deliveries will probably also be felt in Europe.
The players in the state’s economic supply, namely the federal government and players in the petroleum industry, are monitoring the situation closely, says Grünwald. “Appropriate measures have been prepared in the event of a supply shortage.” This means the federal government can release compulsory camps if necessary. These are owned by the companies. However, the mandatory stocks only cover the airlines’ kerosene needs for 3 months. (aargauerzeitung.ch)