The International Energy Agency has warned that flights from Europe risk cancellation in about seven weeks due to unavailability of jet fuel as the airline industry continues to grapple with scarcity due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

The IEA executive director, Fatih Birol, on Thursday said the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz will result in “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.”

Last week, ACI Europe, which represents airports across the European Union, said peak summer travel would be disrupted, with “harsh economic impacts” for several member states that rely on the economic boost.

An European airline EasyJet, on Thursday said the ongoing conflict in Iran and rising fuel costs were negatively affecting customer bookings, with those buying tickets for later in the year down 2% compared with 2025.

The carrier said it took on roughly £25 million ($34 million) in additional fuel costs in March alone, and hedged at least 70% of its summer fuel to protect against volatility.

Meanwhile, Mr Birol noted that the longer the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked, the more negative impact it’ll have on global economy. 

He stated, “In the past there was a group called ‘Dire Straits.’ It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world.

“The broader economic impact includes “higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices, with some parts of the world “hit worse than the others.”

The IEA director previously warned that the energy crisis was set to hit harder in April as oil supply constraints worsen.

“In April, there is nothing,” Birol said in March, adding that “The loss of oil in April will be twice the loss of oil in March. On top of that you have LNG and others. It will come through to inflation, I think it will cut economic growth in many countries, especially emerging economies. In many countries the rationing of energy may be coming soon.”