Jet Fuel Crisis Threatens Spain and Greece Flights This Summer

A jet fuel shortage triggered by the Strait of Hormuz closure could force airlines to cancel late-summer flights to Spain and Greece, experts warn.

European holidaymakers face a turbulent summer as a deepening jet fuel crisis threatens to disrupt flights to some of the continent's most popular sun destinations. According to reports from inews.co.uk and The Telegraph, experts now warn that flights to Spain and Greece could be cancelled in late summer due to dwindling jet fuel supplies, with the situation linked to ongoing tensions following Trump's Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

What's driving the jet fuel shortage

Since the Strait of Hormuz closed, the cost of kerosene has surged dramatically. The Telegraph reports that the price per barrel has at times been more than double the usual level, in what some industry observers are describing as a jet-fuel "Armageddon" scenario for the holiday sector. With airlines absorbing higher operating costs, the squeeze is already being felt across European aviation.

Experts cited by inews.co.uk say airlines could see a significant drop-off in jet fuel supply later this year as long as the conflict continues. That supply crunch, rather than just price, is what raises the prospect of outright cancellations on routes to high-demand leisure markets like Spain and Greece in late summer.

Why Spain and Greece are most exposed

Spain and Greece are among Europe's busiest summer destinations, with millions of travellers heading to Barcelona, Madrid, Athens and the Greek islands every year. Because these routes rely on tightly scheduled, high-volume operations, any reduction in jet fuel availability hits them disproportionately hard. When supply tightens, airlines typically protect their most profitable corridors and trim capacity elsewhere — and late-season leisure flights are often among the first to be cut.

For travellers with bookings later in the season, this means it's worth keeping a close eye on airline communications and considering flexible booking options. It also makes the case for comparing alternative transport modes, especially for shorter European hops where trains and buses remain a reliable backup if flights are pulled.

How to plan smart in an uncertain summer

If your summer plans involve Spain or Greece, now is a good time to compare prices and transport options early. On Solvoya, you can search across flights, trains and buses in one place — helpful when air capacity is uncertain. For inspiration on where else to go in Europe, the Explorer can surface alternative destinations, and the Points/Miles search can help squeeze more value out of frequent flyer balances if fares spike.

Booking earlier, staying flexible on dates, and considering nearby airports are all sensible hedges against the kind of late-summer disruption experts are warning about. The fuller picture you have of your options, the easier it is to pivot if your original flight is cancelled.

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