industry
European jet fuel reserves drop to one-month supply
Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have severely disrupted Europe's jet fuel supply chain, leaving the continent with roughly a one-month reserve. Industry analysts warn of a potential deficit of 600,000 barrels per day during the busy third quarter, exacerbated by a lack of local refining capacity. While airlines have temporarily stabilized operations by importing from North America and Africa, operators face skyrocketing wholesale costs. For commercial pilots, this volatility means prolonged pressure on airline profitability, which could impact future hiring and route expansion plans.