The Philippines said grounding planes due to a shortage of jet fuel brought on by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is a “distinct possibility”, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing an interview with the South East Asian country’s president.
Several countries have informed Philippine airlines they cannot refuel aircraft, forcing Philippine operators to carry fuel for both outbound and return journeys, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Bloomberg.
Other Asian countries, including Vietnam, have said airlines are preparing to implement fuel surcharges on international routes from early April.
Global air travel has been disrupted since the war forced the closure of Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, stranding tens of thousands of passengers.
—Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing
