Hungary’s aviation fuel supply has been the subject of speculations due to the conflicts in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, Hungarian oil company MOL released an important statement, reacting to the growing concerns about global kerosene shortages that may affect Budapest Airport.
MOL posted an important press release
In a statement released on Monday, the Hungarian oil and gas company reassured the public and industry stakeholders, stressing that it continues to provide airports and partners with all the jet fuel they require, as the fuel supply is stable and uninterrupted. MOL said its supply chains are operating securely and that no disruptions are expected in the foreseeable future.
The company added that its refineries and logistics systems have sufficient capacity to manage both market challenges and potential international supply difficulties. MOL also highlighted the recent restart of the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline, describing it as an important factor contributing to supply security across the region.
Current situation paints a more cautious picture
MOL’s assurances come after comments from Ferenc Turi, chief executive of HungaroControl, Hungary’s air navigation service provider, who warned that Europe could face significant challenges in jet fuel supply. In a recent interview, Turi said that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has left around 20% of Europe’s kerosene supply unresolved. While fuel remains available, he argued that current volumes may not be sufficient to meet demand, particularly as air traffic continues to grow.
According to Turi, the aviation sector had planned for passenger traffic growth of 6–7% this year, raising concerns that fuel supplies may struggle to keep pace. He suggested that the extent of the crisis could become clearer by July, with the next two to three months likely to be critical for the industry, writes Telex.
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Rising prices and cancelled flights
The broader aviation market is already feeling the impact of higher fuel costs and supply uncertainty. Airlines worldwide reportedly cancelled around 13,000 flights in May, removing capacity equivalent to approximately two million passenger seats. Although this represents less than 2% of global airline capacity, industry experts warn that further cancellations could occur during the busy summer travel season if supply pressures persist.
Jet fuel prices have surged since the escalation of the Middle East conflict and the disruption of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Major carriers have reported substantial additional fuel costs, highlighting the growing financial strain on the aviation sector, and Budapest Airport could also be in affected.
For now, however, Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport appears well supplied, with MOL insisting that Hungarian airports can continue operating without interruption despite the turbulence affecting global markets.
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