In Sardinia, territorial continuity is also guaranteed, if necessary, with the intervention of Saras and its refinery in Sarroch . Aeroitalia CEO Gaetano Intrieri stated this yesterday on the program "10 minuti" hosted by Nicola Porro on Rete4, and the Region reiterated it today, following a meeting with Saras.
The CEO of the company that operates five of the six continuous routes on the island painted a gloomy scenario for the sector, but dispelled any doubts about the service connecting the island's airports to Rome and Milan.
"The sector is under pressure," Intrieri reiterated, emphasizing the many uncertainties related not only to the international situation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but also to the current and effective availability of jet fuel. "To date," he said, "we do not have a precise picture of the fuel stocks available from suppliers."
Uncertainties will also be felt in tariffs: "The cost of fuel and jet fuel has now more than doubled , with obvious repercussions on the entire sector: airports are suffering, and we believe those in the north may be the hardest hit."
Jet fuel is currently available, "but not in the quantity it should be," the manager said, specifying that at the moment the domestic market "has not suffered significant repercussions" and that "operations can continue regularly until May."
Regarding connections with Sardinia: "No critical issues are expected, continuity will be guaranteed without interruptions. The Region and the ministry are also working with the refinery to ensure public service and facilitate connections." The CEO, however, calls for the activation of a control room to "clearly assess the true extent of the problem and identify the most appropriate measures."
The summit with Saras
Yesterday, in the Region, the Transport and Industry Councilors, Barbara Manca and Emanuele Cani, met with the top management of the Saras group, which operates the Sarroch refinery, a strategic hub for fuel supplies.
" Saras representatives ," a statement from the Region explains, "have assured their attention to the Sardinian territory, highlighting no current critical issues with respect to the volumes guaranteed to the Sardinian aviation market over the past year. They also declared their willingness to implement measures to ensure any increase in jet fuel demand resulting from the crisis at other airports."
Regional government officials describe a "complex" situation, in which the Region's priority is "protecting the island's citizens and economic system, starting with safeguarding the continuity of air and sea connections, but also supporting the businesses hardest hit by rising energy costs."
Summer at risk
Continuity is therefore guaranteed, although it remains to be seen whether the rates will remain the same, given that airlines are pushing ( as Minister Salvini reported ) to raise prices. But the crisis's impact on tourist flows is worrying . And we know how much the Sardinian economy relies on summer tourism.
The warning raised in recent days by the European airports association ACI Europe ( "There is a risk of systemic fuel shortages if Hormuz does not reopen within three weeks" ) was reiterated by Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency. "If the disruption were to continue and last more than six weeks, we could even end up with flight cancellations due to a lack of jet fuel," he said in an interview with La Stampa. Birol yesterday outlined an "alarming" picture to the Associated Press, with jet fuel "perhaps sufficient for about six weeks."
And the IATA (International Air Transport Association) has estimated that "by the end of May we could start to record some cancellations in Europe" , a phenomenon that is currently "already being recorded in some areas of Asia".
IATA Director General Willie Walsh called on authorities to "do everything possible to ensure alternative supply routes" and, in the event of rationing, to have "clear, well-communicated and coordinated plans."
The EU Commission, for its part, has not ruled out the need to launch "coordinated action" to address the crisis. European refineries cover approximately 70% of EU consumption; the rest depends on imports, largely from the Middle East route : "There are currently no fuel shortages, but we are preparing for possible jet fuel supply shortages, which continue to be a cause for concern ."
Davide Lombardi
