Cost of flights ready to soar as EU accused of blocking jet fuel

THE European Union has been accused of jeopardising supplies of jet fuel and forcing up the cost of flights.

- BY DAVID WILLIAMSON

Separate warnings by the Conservatives and Reform UK came as the head of the International Energy Agency said Europe had “maybe six weeks of jet fuel left”.

Fuel prices have doubled since the US and Israel launched their attacks on Iran.

Environmental requirements and EU protectionism also threaten to make air travel more expensive.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said: “The EU is blocking the very fuel imports it needs to meet its own green targets - and British passengers will pay the price in pricier flights.”

Airlines around the world have scrambled to respond to the rise in fuel costs, with flights cancelled, prices increased and extra costs on luggage. The aviation sector has called on the EU to avoid shortages by reversing measures that force up the price of importing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from the US and Canada.