Photo: HJBC / Shutterstock.com The European Commission today (Friday, May 8, 2026) issued special guidelines for the transport and tourism sectors in Europe, amid fuel supply disruptions and the closure of flight and shipping routes following the crisis in the Middle East. The guidelines focus on the aviation industry and the fear of a jet fuel shortage if the fighting continues.
At the same time, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a special safety bulletin for aviation and fuel supply authorities in Europe, regarding the safe use of Jet A fuel.
The European Commission’s announcement clarified that passengers whose flights are cancelled are still entitled to full rights, including refunds, re-routing, airport assistance and compensation in certain cases. However, airlines may be exempt from paying compensation if they can prove that the cancellation was caused by “extraordinary circumstances”, such as a local fuel shortage. On the other hand, it was emphasized that rising fuel prices alone do not constitute extraordinary circumstances.
The Commission also clarifies that airlines are not permitted to retroactively add fuel surcharges to ticket prices after purchase, and that flight prices must be transparent and fully charged in advance.
To prevent route cancellations, the European Union allows temporary relief for airlines from minimum fuel requirements at certain airports, as well as from slot rules (landing and takeoff rights) in cases of fuel shortages.
In addition, the EU approved a temporary aid framework for member states, which will also allow for financial support for the land transportation, railways, shipping and maritime transport sectors, which are being affected by the surge in fuel prices and the consequences of the regional crisis.