In recent days, several reports have circulated claiming that a jet-fuel shortage linked to the situation around the Strait of Hormuz threatens European air travel. MOL and Wizz Air quickly issued statements denying this would affect Hungary – so let's look at what travellers can expect this summer season.
What does MOL say?
According to MOL's statement, the jet-fuel supply at Hungary's airports is stable and uninterrupted. The company said its refining and logistics systems are operating with adequate capacity, so it continuously provides the necessary fuel volumes for its domestic partners and their airports.
The statement also emphasised that the company is prepared for market challenges and any international supply difficulties – so domestic travellers need not fear a fuel shortage.
No flight cancellations are expected at Hungarian airports due to a jet-fuel shortage. Travellers can plan their summer trips with confidence.
Where did the concerns come from?
In an interview, HungaroControl's CEO, Ferenc Turi, said that because of the blockade around the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 20 percent of Europe's jet-fuel supply is unresolved. In his view there is fuel, but not in sufficient quantity – not even to serve 2025's traffic, let alone the 6–7 percent traffic growth planned for this year. According to Turi, whether the industry crisis deepens may become clear around July.
Wizz Air's response
Wizz Air responded with a quick and firm statement. The airline said its fuel supply is secured, that it will fly its full summer schedule, and that passengers can plan their trips with confidence.
Wizz also noted that the summer delays of recent years were mostly caused not by fuel, but by air-traffic-control capacity problems. In their own words:
The biggest challenge for Europe's aviation industry right now is a shortage of air-traffic-control capacity, not fuel supply.
— Wizz Air statementWhat's the background?
Since the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the price of jet fuel has more than doubled. Internationally this places a real burden on airlines: Lufthansa, for example, expects 1.7 billion euros in extra costs for 2026, while EasyJet booked around 36 million pounds in additional costs in March alone.
In May, airlines cancelled close to 2 million seats of capacity globally – less than 2% of total global capacity. So the disruptions do exist, but their scale is not catastrophic, and they don't directly affect Hungary for now.
What does this mean for summer travellers?
- Hungarian airports: the fuel supply is stable; no cancellations to fear on this account.
- Wizz Air flights: the full summer schedule is operating, with no supply disruption looming.
- Possible delays: if any occur, they're far more likely to stem from air-traffic-control capacity than from a fuel shortage.
- Ticket prices: the higher fuel prices could affect fares over the medium term.
What can you do as a traveller?
The best strategy right now: plan ahead and book in time. Even if there's no immediate threat of cancellations, fewer flights mean the remaining flights and tickets can fill up sooner. The same goes for airport parking – in the summer peak season it's worth reserving your spot ahead.
If you do have to put up with a delay because of air-traffic-control problems, that's out of your hands – but you can make sure you're not stressing about parking on the way to the airport too.
There's room for your longer trip too
Book ahead so you're guaranteed a free spot during the summer peak.
Reserve a parking spotPreparing for the summer season matters more than ever. While there's no reason to panic about a fuel shortage, good planning is never wasted – for booking flights or for airport parking.