Four airports in northern Italy have restricted refueling

Four airports in northern Italy have restricted refueling: airlines address fuel shortage at the start of the tourist season

05.04.2026 23:00 HotInfo

Four airports in northern Italy have introduced temporary restrictions on aircraft refueling. Bologna, Milan-Linate, Venice and Treviso have limited supplies of Jet A1 kerosene for commercial flights after supplier Air BP Italia announced disruptions in the supply chain. The restrictions are in effect until April 9. Bloomberg ↗

Priority for refueling is given to emergency flights, state flights and routes longer than three hours. According to several media outlets, other commercial flights have had their refueling limits significantly reduced. Airlines therefore have to consider intermediate stops for refueling or adjustments to flight plans. Euro Weekly News ↗

The restrictions come at the end of the Easter weekend, just a few weeks before the start of the summer season — the period when northern Italian airports experience the greatest surge in passengers. Milan and Venice are important transfer hubs, so the disruptions could also affect connecting flights within Europe.

According to several foreign media outlets, the situation may be linked to supply chain disruptions caused by tensions in the Middle East. According to analysts, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption flows, is under threat due to the ongoing conflict in the region. This is delaying deliveries to Mediterranean refineries. However, Air BP Italia has not publicly specified the exact causes of the shortage. The extent of this impact cannot yet be precisely quantified. Bloomberg ↗

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary warned of the risk that, if the tension persists, the situation could force "widespread summer flight cancellations and higher ticket prices across Europe." According to him, Ryanair's position is stable through May thanks to hedging contracts, but beyond that horizon "there are no firm guarantees." Euro Weekly News ↗

According to analysts, the most at-risk destinations include Mediterranean countries — Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece — which receive the majority of vacation flights from Central Europe. According to available information, some airlines are already loading extra fuel at unrestricted airports to cover more legs without refueling. The Traveler ↗

According to EU officials, there is currently no indication that the restrictions will be extended across all of Europe. However, analysts view the Italian restrictions as a first test of the resilience of European aviation logistics.

What this means for travelers from Slovakia and Czechia

Anyone flying to northern Italy in the coming days should anticipate possible delays or changes to flight plans. It is recommended to check flight status directly with the airline, allow sufficient time buffer for connections, and monitor the carrier's current communications. So far, the restrictions apply to only four airports and are in effect until April 9 — however, the situation may change.