Due to impending kerosene shortages, air cargo companies are calling for priority fuel allocation. Claus Wagner, chairman of the German Air Cargo Handlers Association (VACAD), warned in “Welt am Sonntag” that Germany could face a fuel rationing situation, similar to what has happened in Italy. He described a potential scenario reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic, predicting that smaller airports might eventually lose their normal service or become completely unserved.
Wagner further cautioned that failures in freight capacity, especially at decentralized airports, could cause significant disruption to German industries’ supply chains. Christopher Stoller, president of the Air Cargo Club Germany (ACD), emphasized the economic necessity of prioritizing air cargo logistics during a kerosene resource shortage in an interview with the newspaper. He stated that the air cargo sector serves as a critical backbone for global supply chains and industrial value creation, making the assurance of economic stability the primary objective.
According to aviation expert Heinrich Großbongardt, Europe faces a potential fuel supply gap of up to 100,000 tons of fuel daily due to insufficient refinery capacity. This deficit is equivalent to 20,000 medium-haul flights per day. Großbongardt told “Welt am Sonntag” that a kerosene triage might occur in Germany during the summer, requiring Berlin and Brussels to decide which flights receive fuel priority.