Europe’s smaller airports may not survive if jet fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East crisis lead to widespread route cancellations, the industry’s trade body has warned.

Although airlines insist there are currently no supply problems within the normal four- to six-week horizon, the US-Israel war on Iran and the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz have doubled the price of jet fuel, prompting some carriers to cancel flights.

The Airports Council of Europe said regional airports were the most exposed and faced an “existential threat” if airlines cut capacity and raised fares, as demand on their routes was generally more price-sensitive – demonstrated when Lufthansa axed 20,000 summer flights operated by its regional subsidiary, CityLine.

  • HaraldvonBlauzahn@feddit.orgOP
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    2 months ago

    If I remember correctly, to achieve any effective climate protection, we need to fly way less anyways.

    Under this angle, a few airports for short distances and airlines going bust is not really that bad, is it?

    And I guess its only the beginning of a bigger reshuffle as we enter an age with less fossil energy use…

    • First_Thunder@lemmy.zip
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      2 months ago

      That’s not always great though, specifically in the case of islands (thinking of Portugal, with Madeira and Azores) where the constant communication is what allows the islands to thrive as part of the nation

      • HaraldvonBlauzahn@feddit.orgOP
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        2 months ago

        There are ways of life that simply don’t work in a sustainable way.

        Nobody has the right to leave a scorched Earth to later generations. The limits of personal freedom are where what is done affects the essential rights of others.

    • tal@lemmy.today
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      2 months ago

      And I guess its only the beginning of a bigger reshuffle as we enter an age with less fossil energy use

      Well, there’s hydrogen, which could also fuel aircraft.

  • ExLisperA
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    2 months ago

    They will ground all private jets, right?