MEP Borja Gimenez Larraz (PPE) has asked the European Commission to quantify the impact of airline capacity cuts on tourism and to outline staged measures to address the escalating kerosene crisis. The question, submitted on 23 April 2026, warns that Lufthansa has cancelled 20,000 short-haul flights until October and closed its CityLine subsidiary after fuel prices doubled amid the conflict with Iran, with other airlines also cutting capacity and raising prices.
The MEP notes that the Commission has committed to coordinating with Member States, suppliers, and the aviation industry to secure alternative kerosene supply and optimise distribution, but criticises the lack of specific instruments, time frames, or mechanisms for a deteriorating situation. He highlights that tourism is crucial for the EU economy, citing Spain where it accounted for 12.6% of GDP and 12.3% of employment in 2024, with over 82% of international tourists arriving by air.
first, whether the Commission has quantified the impact of capacity cuts on tourism, especially in Member States most dependent on the industry; second, what measures it will activate if the crisis escalates in stages, such as joint kerosene purchases, specific strategic reserves, or sectoral support. The MEP's policy orientation is to push for more concrete and proactive EU intervention to protect the tourism sector, which is heavily reliant on air travel.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it plans to take additional steps beyond coordination, such as activating emergency reserves or proposing sector-specific aid, and will indicate the level of priority it assigns to tourism in the current crisis.
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