The energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East could prevent Europeans from going on summer vacations, Politico reports, citing EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
“The war in the Middle East will hit Europeans where it hurts the most: vacations“, warns EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, the newspaper writes.
According to the EU Commissioner, airlines are already canceling flights and destinations, while raising prices. He noted that travel this summer could be disrupted regardless of how the situation in the Strait of Hormuz develops.
“At the very least, the situation will be as bad as it is now, but there is a real risk that it will get worse,“ the official stressed.
Jørgensen said that the EU could find itself in a position where it would have to release even more fuel from its reserves. He added that he was considering using unspent funds to help member states cope with rapidly rising prices.
According to Politico, however, Jørgensen himself will not take a summer vacation, but will remain in his post at the European Commission.
Earlier, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, warned of a threat of diesel and jet fuel shortages in Europe. William Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), later said that flight cancellations due to jet fuel shortages in Europe could begin by the end of May, as is already happening in some Asian countries.
The escalation around Iran has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from the Persian Gulf to the world market, and has also affected oil exports and production. Because of the blockade, most countries around the world are seeing a rise in fuel and industrial product prices.