Kuwait City: The global aviation sector is facing a serious crisis following attacks on Kuwait’s Mina Al Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah oil refineries, along with disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
These developments have significantly impacted the global jet fuel supply chain, raising concerns over fuel availability and increasing operational costs for airlines worldwide. According to a recent report by Windward, nearly 10 percent of global seaborne jet fuel supply has been disrupted due to these events, marking one of the biggest shocks to the aviation industry in recent times.
Kuwait plays a crucial role in the global fuel market, ranking among the top exporters of aviation fuel. The country had aimed to export around 260,000 barrels per day by 2025, with about 61 percent of production coming from the Mina Al Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries. Any disruption at these facilities has a direct impact on international markets.
Several countries, including France, the United States, the Netherlands, and Belgium, rely heavily on imported fuel from Kuwait due to limited domestic production.
The report also highlighted that around 73 tankers, including eight fully loaded with fuel, are currently stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz. Loading operations have been halted for more than three days, causing delays in global supply chains and driving up shipping costs.
These disruptions are already affecting refuelling schedules at international airports. If the situation continues, experts warn that airfares could rise further and flight services may be reduced in the coming days.
