The Federal Consumer Center Association has raised concerns about potential aviation fuel shortages, warning that this situation could lead to airline bankruptcies and cause significant losses for consumers. Ann-Cathrin Beermann, head of the Mobility and Resource Protection team at the VZBV, stated to the Funke Media Group’s newspapers that they fear increased insolvencies among airlines due to limited and costly fuel supplies. She explained that individual travelers would have virtually no protection in such a scenario, potentially losing the money paid for tickets and having to organize their return journey independently if they are already at their destination. According to Beermann, any refund received from an insolvency estate is rare, a pattern observed in the past, which could quickly result in losses amounting to several hundred euros.
Consequently, the VZBV is demanding that the passenger rights regulation be amended to include insolvency protection for consumers, perhaps through a fund that also covers independent travelers. Furthermore, the consumer advocate suggested that policymakers should strengthen passenger rights for international rail journeys, as this would make cross-European train travel a more attractive alternative to short flights. However, Beermann noted that in the case of flights cancellations due to kerosene shortages, consumers are relatively well protected, as tickets are either rerouted or refunded-a frustrating but manageable situation.
In light of the looming kerosene shortage across Europe, the Green party is calling for a temporary restriction on both private and domestic flights, as well as a price reduction for the Deutschlandticket for local transport. Michael Kellner, the Green parliamentary group’s energy policy spokesperson, told the Funke Media Group’s newspapers that the situation is serious. He advised that private planes should remain grounded in the hangars in the short term, while rescue flights, cargo flights, and international connections should be prioritized. Kellner also urged the suspension of short-haul flights within Germany and Europe, and called for a discount on the Deutschlandticket.
Kellner’s statement was made in reaction to a stark warning from the International Energy Agency (IEA) the previous day. The IEA’s director, Fatih Birol, had warned that Europe’s kerosene reserves might last only six weeks. He cautioned that if the Strait of Hormuz remained practically blocked due to the Iran crisis, and further deliveries failed to materialize, flight cancellations would soon become necessary. Airport operators are also issuing warnings regarding fuel deficits, and sources indicate that the EU Commission is working on an emergency plan.
Looking toward the medium term, Green politician Kellner emphasized the necessity of synthetic fuels. He noted that the federal government has failed to make a decision on a green kerosene plant in Lusatia for a year, despite both a project and funding being available. He suggested that the federal government should determine that it will utilize synthetic fuels for its flights in the future, thereby promoting the market for such fuels.
