EASA Bulletin Warns About Jet-A Versus Jet A-1 Issue

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2026-04 warns operators and pilots that supplies of jet A-1 grade aviation fuel “on certain markets might be constrained” and notes that jet-A may be substituted in markets where jet A-1 is typically available. These include airports in Europe, Africa, Australia, India, and Southeast Asia.

While U.S. and Canadian airports typically supply jet-A, according to the bulletin, “A potential introduction of jet-A in Europe or in other parts of the world would not generate safety concerns provided that its introduction is properly managed.” There are differences between the two fuels, including a reduced freezing-point margin for jet-A compared to jet A-1 and lower electrical conductivity. However, aircraft and engine type certificates generally permit the use of both fuel types.

“Although North America operates without a defined minimum conductivity limit,” the bulletin explains, “it cannot be assumed that European infrastructure has been fully risk-assessed for this change, as it has been designed for fuels with specific conductivity characteristics. In particular, it is not clear to what extent existing European infrastructure, procedures, and electrostatic hazard controls across the supply chain would remain fully effective for low-conductivity fuels.

“From a human factors perspective, the wrong assumption that ‘jet fuel grades are interchangeable,’ in combination with insufficient training on fuel grade differences, may lead to incorrect assumptions and inappropriate flight crew operational decisions. In addition, in operational conditions, fuel grade information may not always be sufficiently visible or clearly identified, which may contribute to incorrect assumptions.”

While the bulletin is not regulatory or mandatory, it was published “to raise awareness of the risks associated with the introduction of jet-A fuel in a jet A-1 environment, in particular potential mismatches between fuel properties and existing operational, technical, and procedural assumptions.”