Commissioner Jozef Síkela, in a written answer on 25 June 2026, defended the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation against calls for its suspension or reform during the current aviation fuel crisis triggered by the Strait of Hormuz disruption. The answer, responding to a question from Kosma Złotowski (ECR), argues that the crisis reinforces the need to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and rejects any immediate relaxation of mandatory blending levels, while leaving the door open to temporary legislative changes if the situation worsens.
The question, submitted on 23 April 2026, highlighted warnings from the International Energy Agency that the EU has only six weeks of aviation fuel reserves, with airlines like Lufthansa cutting 20,000 short-haul flights. Złotowski asked whether the Commission is analysing the regulation's impact on fuel availability and prices, considering flexibility mechanisms to suspend or adjust SAF blending, and planning a reform of ReFuelEU Aviation.
In his answer, Síkela pointed to the Fuel Observatory, established under the AccelerateEU initiative, which aims to improve visibility over fuel supply and demand and support targeted action such as alternative sourcing or coordinated stock releases. He also referenced guidance issued on 8 May 2026 that clarifies how airlines can be exempted from their refuelling obligation in case of fuel shortage, arguing that existing flexibilities are sufficient for now. The Commissioner stressed that maintaining the ambition of ReFuelEU Aviation and implementing the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) are essential to strengthen Europe's energy security and strategic autonomy.
Síkela's answer contains no concrete proposals for numerical targets, deadlines, or structural changes to the regulation. Instead, it offers declarative support for the current framework and a conditional commitment: if the situation worsens and existing flexibilities no longer suffice, the Commission will propose temporary changes to the applicable EU legislative framework. This leaves the policy direction unchanged for now, with the Commission signalling that it will monitor the crisis and only act if shortages become systemic.
Institutional follow-up is likely to involve continued monitoring by the Fuel Observatory and potential further guidance or legislative proposals if the crisis deepens. The answer suggests that the Commission is prioritising long-term energy diversification over short-term regulatory relief, a stance that may face pushback from airlines and member states grappling with immediate operational pressures.