Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in a written answer on 22 July 2026, told eight ECR MEPs that European airlines are less affected by rising jet fuel prices than US or Asian carriers due to fuel hedging policies, and that the Commission has established a fuel observatory to monitor supply and detect shortages. The answer, responding to a question by Mariateresa Vivaldini and other ECR members, aims to reassure passengers and airlines that existing EU legislation provides strong protection for travellers, including price transparency rules, and that the Commission is coordinating with Member States through the Oil Coordination Group and regular meetings with aviation directors.
The Commissioner pointed to the AccelerateEU Communication of 8 May 2026, which included guidance on flexibilities in EU aviation law for a coordinated response to the Middle East crisis. The guidance recalls passenger rights under Regulation 261/2004, covering refunds and compensation. Tzitzikostas stated that if the situation worsens, the Commission would consider targeted legislative amendments. The fuel observatory, also announced in the AccelerateEU Communication, tracks EU production, imports, exports and stocks, enabling alternative sourcing or coordinated stock releases.
The answer contains no new numerical targets or deadlines, but signals a monitoring and coordination approach rather than immediate regulatory intervention. The Commission is working closely with Member State authorities and national transport contact points to ensure transparency on costs and supply availability. The policy orientation is cautious: the Commission relies on existing legal frameworks and voluntary industry hedging, with a promise to act only if current flexibilities prove insufficient. Institutional follow-up will depend on the evolution of fuel prices and supply, with the fuel observatory providing data for any future decisions.
EU airlines benefit from the Commission's recognition that hedging mitigates cost pressures, but face continued uncertainty over potential future legislative changes if the crisis deepens. Passengers retain strong rights under existing EU law, though no new measures to cap fares or prevent cancellations are proposed. Member States gain enhanced coordination through the Oil Coordination Group and aviation director meetings, but bear the burden of implementing any future adjustments. EU regulatory bodies, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, are involved in monitoring but face no new mandates or resources.