Speaking on 7 May 2026, Brussels Airlines confirmed it has sufficient jet-fuel reserves to maintain its summer schedule for “four to six weeks,” despite warnings of a looming kerosene shortage across Europe. The assurance follows EU briefings earlier in the day about tight refinery capacity and Middle East supply risks. Although the airline’s home base at Brussels Airport operates a shared hydrant network, Brussels Airlines has arranged contingency uplifts at European outstations and negotiated temporary storage at Liège. Global mobility programmes reliant on the carrier’s Africa network—vital for mining and NGO assignees—welcomed the statement. Still, travel managers are advised to keep alternative routings via Paris or Frankfurt on file in case the situation deteriorates. European Commission officials are expected to discuss a temporary relaxation of strategic-reserve rules next week. Logistics analysts note that any prolonged shortage could drive up ticket prices by 5–8 % as carriers introduce fuel surcharges. For now, Brussels Airlines’ fuel hedging contracts and diversified supply chain give the flag-carrier a buffer that smaller regional airlines may lack, making it a safer choice for time-critical assignments.
Source: The Brussels Times
