Sweden issues early warning of possible shortage of aviation fuel due to tensions in the Middle East

Published at: 28/04/2026 01:37 PM

This Tuesday, the Government of Sweden issued an early warning of a potential shortage of aircraft fuel, resulting from the war in the Middle East and the strategic blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The preventive measure responds to recent assessments by the International Energy Agency (IEA) regarding possible interruptions in the global supply of hydrocarbons.

“We warned in time of the risk that there will not be enough fuel for aviation,” Energy Minister Ebba Busch said at a press conference. The official explained that the alert comes as part of an energy security protocol after analyzing instability scenarios that could affect oil transport routes, although she emphasized that the warning is specifically limited to the aeronautical sector.

For her part, the director general of the IEA, Carolyn Asrup, pointed out that, in the most critical scenario, the Swedish State could implement fuel rationing for aircraft. However, Asrup clarified that access to gasoline and diesel for land transport presents no threats.

“Both Sweden and all the Nordic countries have extensive refining capacity and use, first and foremost, North Sea oil,” said the director, describing it as at risk of general rationing.

The authorities stressed that the national energy system has the necessary robustness to face short and long term contingencies. The IEA technical report reaffirms that, despite the volatility in international markets due to the closure of key maritime routes, local and regional production guarantees the stability of the supply of conventional fuels for the rest of the country's sectors.

Mazo News Team