Amelia DaviesFour major Italian airports began rationing jet fuel on 5 April 2026, imposing a 2,000-litre cap per aircraft on short-haul flights — roughly less than one hour of flying time for a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. If your Easter flight touches these airports, here is what you are legally entitled to.
What happened and which airports are affected?
Milan Linate, Venice Marco Polo, Bologna Marconi, and Treviso Canova are operating under emergency fuel restrictions triggered by disruption to Persian Gulf supply routes. Iran's conflict with the United States has forced oil tankers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope instead of passing through the Strait of Hormuz, creating an acute supply crunch for Jet-A1 aviation fuel across southern Europe.
Air BP Italia, one of the main fuel suppliers to Italian airports, issued a critical availability alert on 5 April 2026. The last tanker from the Persian Gulf is expected to arrive in European ports on 9 April 2026, with existing supplies projected to last until the end of May. Rome Fiumicino and other major hubs may impose additional restrictions if the situation deteriorates further into the Liberation Day long weekend in late April.
Ryanair has already warned publicly of potential summer cancellations if the Iran conflict continues beyond April. Europe imports approximately 50% of its jet fuel from the Persian Gulf region, making the continent structurally exposed to supply shocks of this kind.
Your rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
Whether your flight is cancelled, significantly delayed, or rerouted due to this crisis, EU law protects you. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you are entitled to the following:
If your flight is cancelled:
- Full reimbursement of your ticket, or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity
- Re-routing at a later date of your convenience, subject to seat availability
- Care and assistance: meals, refreshments, two phone calls or emails, and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
Compensation by flight distance (payable in addition to reimbursement):
- €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less (e.g., London to Milan)
- €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- €600 for flights over 3,500 km
If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival, you are entitled to the same compensation amounts — even if the flight eventually departs.
The 'extraordinary circumstances' trap — and how to fight it
Airlines will almost certainly attempt to classify fuel shortages as "extraordinary circumstances" beyond their control, which — if accepted — exempts them from paying financial compensation (though not from reimbursement or care obligations).
However, this exemption is increasingly being contested in European courts. Several rulings since 2023 have found that supply chain failures, including fuel disruptions that were foreseeable or manageable, do not automatically qualify as extraordinary circumstances. The key test is whether the airline took all reasonable measures to avoid the cancellation.
Legal experts advise passengers to document everything: keep all boarding passes, booking confirmations, airline communications, and receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses (meals, hotels, taxis). This paper trail is essential if you need to escalate a claim.
What to do if your flight is affected
Step 1: Contact your airline immediately. Ask in writing whether your flight is confirmed, delayed, or cancelled. Get the reason in writing — airlines are required under EU261 to provide a written notice of your rights.
Step 2: If cancelled, choose between full reimbursement or re-routing. Do not simply accept a voucher as a substitute for a cash refund unless you explicitly prefer it.
Step 3: Keep all receipts for reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result of the delay or cancellation. These are reimbursable under EU261's care provisions.
Step 4: If the airline refuses compensation by citing extraordinary circumstances, challenge it. You can escalate your claim to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) — which continues to apply EU261 standards post-Brexit for flights departing from UK airports or operated by UK carriers to EU destinations. For flights departing Italian airports, the Italian ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile) handles complaints.
Step 5: If internal escalation fails, consider seeking specialist legal advice. A lawyer familiar with aviation consumer law can assess whether the airline's extraordinary circumstances claim holds water — and pursue the case on a no-win, no-fee basis if warranted.
What about travel insurance?
Many travel insurance policies cover flight cancellations — but check the fine print carefully. Policies typically exclude or limit cover for events already known at the time of purchase. If you booked your Easter travel after 5 April 2026, when the fuel rationing was publicly reported, your insurer may argue the disruption was a known risk. Your statutory rights under EU261 remain unaffected by your insurance position.
On Expert Zoom, legal specialists can help you assess your compensation claim and communicate with airlines on your behalf.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about EU passenger rights and does not constitute legal advice. Your specific entitlements depend on the circumstances of your booking and journey. Consult a qualified legal professional for advice on your individual situation.
