French government to address airline fuel concerns amid Middle East tensions

On May 6, French government officials are scheduled to meet with airline representatives to address concerns regarding potential jet fuel shortages during the summer months due to the conflict in the Middle East. Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, warned that if the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz continues for two to three months, France could face energy shortages. Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Transavia, and Volotea have already begun cancelling some flights, with Transavia cutting 2% of its May and June schedule. Despite these concerns, French ministers, including Economy Minister Roland Lescure and government spokesperson Maud Bregeon, stated that there are sufficient strategic reserves to last at least three months. Officials confirmed that 100 million barrels are available, with less than 2% used so far, and emphasized that current service station supply issues affect only 4% of locations. President Emmanuel Macron has urged against panic, dismissing the prospect of imminent shortages, while the government plans to increase domestic refining capacity.