EU temporarily authorises US Jet A fuel to prevent summer shortages in air transport

The European Union has temporarily authorised the use of US Jet A aviation fuel at European airports, a measure designed to prevent possible tensions in the supply of aviation kerosene. The decision, which was communicated by the European Commission to airport authorities and airlines, was accompanied by a recommendation to take strict security and monitoring measures when handling the fuel.

The measure comes against a backdrop of increasing pressure on global energy supply chains. Geopolitical tensions in some areas, particularly in the Middle East, coupled with an increase in seasonal demand for aviation fuel as summer approaches, have contributed to a reduction in available supplies in Europe. Against this backdrop, the EU chose to temporarily expand supply options to avoid possible disruptions to commercial flights.

In Europe, the gold standard is Jet A-1, used on most international and long-haul flights. This type of fuel is preferred globally because it ensures better performance in low temperatures, a key feature for high-altitude flights and intercontinental routes.

Jet A, on the other hand, is the fuel commonly used in civil aviation in the United States. Although very similar to Jet A-1 in terms of composition, it has one crucial difference: the freezing point. Jet A tends to solidify around -40°C, while Jet A-1 can withstand temperatures down to around -47°C. This seemingly minor difference has a significant impact on the operational safety of long-haul flights.

During intercontinental flights, the fuel in the wing tanks can progressively cool down to extremely low temperatures, especially over oceans or polar regions. Under these conditions, the formation of paraffin crystals could compromise the proper flow of fuel to the engines, with potentially critical consequences. This is why the Jet A-1 has become the international standard for civil aviation outside the United States.