The European Union will tell carriers that the impact of the Iran war on tourism and aviation does not, at this stage, justify dedicated emergency support for the sector, according to draft EU guidelines. The document states that the present circumstances differ from the severe disruption that prompted extraordinary measures during the COVID-19 crisis.
The draft guidance, which the European Commission plans to publish on Friday, makes several operational and legal clarifications for airlines and airports.
First, the document reports there are no jet fuel shortages across the EU. That assessment frames the Commission's view that immediate supply disruptions do not currently underpin a need for sector-wide emergency intervention.
Second, the guidance reiterates passengers' entitlements under existing EU law. When flights are cancelled, passengers retain the right to reimbursement, re-routing or return. The draft stresses that those rights remain in force and are not being suspended by the current situation.
Third, the guidance sets out conditions under which airlines could be relieved from paying compensation after cancellations. A local fuel shortage could be treated as an exceptional circumstance that removes the compensation obligation. By contrast, the document makes clear that cancellations caused by high jet fuel prices do not meet that threshold and would not exempt airlines from compensation responsibilities.
Fourth, the draft clarifies that elevated jet fuel prices alone should not be considered a "serious disturbance of operations" that would justify waiving airport slot rules. That distinction preserves the standard slot allocation framework even where fuel costs increase.
Finally, the guidance notes industry discussions around fuel-grade flexibility. It reports that carriers and fuel suppliers are evaluating whether Jet A grade fuel can be used at locations where Jet A-1 is typically supplied to help secure fuel availability. The draft confirms there is no legal prohibition on using Jet A instead of Jet A-1, and that airlines may already use either grade.
The guidance ties these operational assessments together to explain why the Commission does not currently view the situation as warranting the sort of sector-specific measures deployed during the pandemic. It leaves room for local, circumstance-driven exemptions around compensation but maintains EU-wide passenger protections and slot rules.