Iran Truce and Strait of Hormuz Open, IATA Clarifies: “Months To Normalize Aircraft Supplies”
The Strait of Hormuz reopened after the 'yes' of the United States and Iran to a two-week truce. But what will change for flights at risk due to the fuel crisis? Today, the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Willie Walsh explained that it will take months before aircraft fuel supplies and prices normalize, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains open.
"It will still take months to return to the necessary supply levels, given the disruptions to refining capacity in the Middle East," Walsh told reporters. "I don't think it will happen in a few weeks."
Inevitably, Walsh explains, ticket prices will increase. "I don't think everyone fully understood how concentrated production capacity was in certain parts of the world," added the Iata director. Past experience shows that the aviation sector will react to rising oil prices by increasing ticket prices, he said. "It's inevitable."
Although some air traffic that would have crossed the Middle East has been diverted to airlines outside the region, this is "a temporary problem," Walsh concluded. "There's no way they can replace the capacity provided by Gulf carriers," he added. "I believe the Gulf hubs will recover, and very quickly."
Due to the fuel crisis, the first restrictions began in recent days. In 4 Italian airports, namely Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso, and Venice, refueling restrictions have been triggered, with the exception of ambulances and state flights lasting more than three hours.
Many airlines are purchasing fuel in advance to protect themselves from price fluctuations, a mechanism that should shield passengers for a while at least. But Federconsumatori had warned: "If the current situation were to extend beyond the end of April, the consequences could be severe in terms of flight cancellations and increased ticket prices."
©2026 GMC S.A.P.A. di G. P. Marra. Visit at adnkronos.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.