Europe is confronting a jet‑fuel shortage after the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz cut most Middle Eastern imports. The crisis has already forced airlines to trim schedules and could raise fares. Long‑term refinery closures and rising import dependence have left the region vulnerable. Since 2009, 28 of the 100 European refineries have shut or been converted, erasing more than 25 % of the refinery count and 16 % of capacity. Jet‑fuel prices have spiked to over $200 per barrel, and Europe imported about a third of the jet fuel it consumes, with 75 % of those imports coming from the Middle East. The short voyage time of about 21 days from Mina Abdulla in Kuwait to Rotterdam means disruptions are transmitted quickly into regional imports. Analysts warn that Europe has only about six weeks of remaining supply, and the 15 % drop in imports so far in April reflects structural dependence on Middle‑Eastern supply. U.S. jet‑fuel exports to the Pacific reached a seven‑year high this month, accounting for over 30 % of total U.S. jet‑fuel exports. Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said Europe has "maybe six weeks or so" of remaining jet‑fuel supply. Ernest Censier, a market analyst at Vortexa, noted that the 15 % drop in imports reflects the region's structural dependence on Middle‑Eastern supply, and that U.S. jet‑fuel cargoes are increasingly redirected to the Pacific. Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Lufthansa Group, said the package of fleet and capacity measures is unavoidable in light of sharply increased kerosene costs and geopolitical instability. With U.S. jet‑fuel cargoes increasingly redirected to the Pacific, Europe faces heightened competition for limited cargoes. Unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens or alternative supply routes materialise, airlines will likely continue to trim capacity and fares could rise further.