Titan Aviation Fuels: Europe Facing Fuel Shortages

With the world’s petroleum markets still roiled by the Iran war, Titan Aviation Fuels is noting growing jet-A supply challenges across Europe. A large percentage of the region’s jet fuel is imported as a refined product from the Middle East, transported by tanker via maritime routes that are now unstable.

Speaking this week at Aero Friedrichshafen, Titan international fuel division CEO Daniel Coetzer described a period of “significant market strain.” He added, “Right now, the biggest concern across the industry is simple: availability. Suppliers are under real pressure to deliver on contracts that, in some cases, are no longer feasible given current market conditions.”

He noted that shortages are already being experienced in some areas, and with the European summer peak approaching, the situation could become “significantly more challenging.”

Despite these disruptions, Titan has maintained consistent deliveries to its customers and is leveraging new technologies such as AI to optimize its international supply network and identify disruptions before they affect customers.

For the company, that also means a continued effort to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into the market, in response to the ReFuelEU Aviation regulations and accompanying SAF mandates.

“After a difficult start, we’re now seeing better alignment across the industry,” Coetzer explained. “There is broader acceptance of the 2% SAF mandate, even at airports where SAF is not physically available in the fuel supply.”

While administrative complexity—particularly with regard to compliance— remains an issue, Coetzer expects more progress as reporting processes become more standardized. To that end, Titan has developed an internal application process to manage SAF credit certificates, with the goal of simplifying compliance and improving transparency.

“This is a defining moment for aviation fuel supply in Europe,” Coetzer added. “There are real challenges ahead, but also an opportunity to build a more resilient and sustainable system.”