Italy Confirms Jet Fuel Supply Sufficiency Through May Amid EU Crisis Concerns
Italy's Jet Fuel Reserves and EU Energy Crisis Response
By Angelo Amante
Current Status of Jet Fuel Reserves
ROME, April 29 (Reuters) - Italy's jet fuel reserves are enough to cover airport operations at least until the end of May, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday, while urging the European Union to loosen its budget rules to let governments respond to the energy crisis.
Impact of Middle East Disruptions
Europe's imports of jet fuel from the Middle East have been disrupted by the Iran war, raising concerns about a supply crunch before the peak summer travel season.
Jet Fuel Price Surge
The price of jet fuel has risen nearly 84% since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, but carriers have been largely riding out the crisis so far.
Official Statements and Monitoring Efforts
Salvini's Assurance on Supply
"The jet fuel reserves available in Italy are sufficient to ensure operations at least until the end of May," Salvini said during a question time session in the lower house of parliament.
Ongoing Monitoring and System Stability
"We are monitoring the fuel supply chain at both national and European level to ensure that the system continues to operate without disruption, at least throughout the summer," he also said.
Italy's Position and Policy Recommendations
Comparison with Other European Countries
Salvini, who leads the far-right eurosceptic League party, said Italy had more fuel reserves than most other European countries and was not facing an emergency, but nevertheless called for swift action from Brussels.
Calls for EU Policy Changes
Review of ETS Carbon-Permit Scheme
He renewed Italian calls for a review of the ETS carbon-permit scheme, saying it would help lower energy bills across the EU, and said the bloc needed to give budget leeway to nations grappling with the economic fallout of the war.
(Reporting by Angelo AmanteEditing by Alvise Armellini and Peter Graff)
