MILAN, April 7 (Reuters) - Local suppliers stepped in to resolve a temporary jet fuel shortage at four Italian airports, three sources told Reuters on Tuesday, amid a sharp rise in jet fuel prices
Local Suppliers Prevent Jet Fuel Disruption at Four Major Italian Airports
Jet Fuel Shortage and Resolution at Key Italian Airports
Background of the Jet Fuel Shortage
MILAN, April 7 (Reuters) - Local suppliers stepped in to resolve a temporary jet fuel shortage at four Italian airports, three sources told Reuters on Tuesday, amid a sharp rise in jet fuel prices since the start of the U.S-Israel war with Iran.
Airports Affected and Initial Alerts
The airports of Milan's Linate, Venice, Treviso and Bologna last week alerted airlines to limited availability of jet fuel supplied by British company Air BP between April 2 and April 9, according to advisories exchanged among airlines and seen by Reuters.
Role of Alternative Suppliers
The intervention of alternative suppliers filled the temporary gap, the sources with knowledge of the matter said, adding that the issue affecting Air BP was caused by a delayed cargo.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Delay
It was not immediately clear what caused the delay or where the cargo originated. BP declined to comment.
Wider Context and Impact
Europe's Dependence on Middle Eastern Jet Fuel
Europe last year imported more than half of its jet fuel from the Middle East, according to data from S&P Global.
Operational Continuity at the Airports
All four airports confirmed to Reuters that they were not forced to cancel flights because of the fuel disruption.
"The SAVE Group confirms that fuel supply is fully under control: there are no critical issues affecting either supplies or flight operations," the operator of Venice and Treviso airports said in a statement.
SAVE said it could rely on multiple jet fuel suppliers and ruled out supply problems in the short term.
Media Coverage
Jet fuel issues at the four Italian airports were first reported by Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
(Reporting by Francesca Landini in Milan, additional reporting by Stephanie Kelly in London, editing by Giselda Vagnoni)
