UPDATE 2-EU tells airlines: no obstacles to careful use of Jet A fuel

​The European Union told airports ​and airlines in the region ‌on Friday ​that they can swap certain jet fuel grades to avert a supply crunch due to the war ‌in Iran, as long as precautions are taken. The EU Commission cleared airlines' use of Jet A fuel, commonly filled in the United States, as supplies of the EU-preferred ‌fuel grade could run low amid scarce Middle Eastern supplies, confirming an earlier ‌Reuters report.

​The European Union told airports ​and airlines in the region ‌on Friday ​that they can swap certain jet fuel grades to avert a supply crunch due to the war ‌in Iran, as long as precautions are taken.

The EU Commission cleared airlines' use of Jet A fuel, commonly filled in the United States, as supplies of the EU-preferred ‌fuel grade could run low amid scarce Middle Eastern supplies, confirming an earlier ‌Reuters report. "There are (...) no regulatory obstacles to the use of Jet A fuel imported to Europe provided its use is properly managed and communicated throughout the fuel supply chain," it said.

At ⁠European ​airports, planes are ⁠typically refuelled with a grade known as Jet A-1, which is better suited to long-haul and cold-temperature ⁠operations. Europe-bound planes, like all others, have previously been filled with Jet A fuel in ​the U.S.

The bloc's aviation safety agency EASA said separately the industry in ⁠the region needs to take certain precautions when making the switch. "A potential introduction in markets traditionally ⁠using ​Jet A-1 needs to be adequately managed," it cautioned in a statement.

EASA added it was issuing a Safety Information Bulletin on adequate use, which the Commission ⁠said stakeholders were "invited to consult". The EU Commission also on Friday told airlines ⁠that passenger rights would ⁠be upheld, as the impact of the war in Iran on the jet fuel market is not severe enough.