Lisbon, April 20, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's infrastructure minister, Miguel Pinto Luz, said the government has been contacting oil companies about aviation fuel stocks at national airports and does not anticipate flag carrier, TAP, flight cancellations for now.
"This is an international and European-scale problem that we are monitoring closely to ensure nothing fails in the coming months," Miguel Pinto Luz told journalists in Lisbon.
When asked if TAP could cancel flights, he said he would not anticipate that, adding that he believes the airline will continue to guarantee services.
Pinto Luz said the government remained in contact with oil companies to monitor fuel stocks at national airports.
He declined to comment on whether this situation could negatively impact the price Lufthansa and Air France-KLM might offer in the privatisation of up to 49.9% of TAP. These companies have also reduced flights due to the energy crisis the Middle East conflict triggered.
"We will have news about TAP soon, and I will not speak about TAP here today, when we are talking about an absolutely historic moment," he said. The government is awaiting a report from Parpublica (the state holding company managing public assets) with the technical evaluation of non-binding proposals from the two interested parties, expected in early May.
Last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) director said Europe has "perhaps six more weeks of jet fuel" and warned of possible flight cancellations soon if oil supplies remain blocked.
On the same day, Portugal's airline association (RENA) said the crisis had no current impact on operations but acknowledged cancellations and higher prices were possible if the energy crisis persisted.
These warnings come amid an EU energy crisis marked by supply vulnerabilities and external shocks. The bloc depends on oil imports and remains subject to geopolitical disruptions, particularly regarding aviation kerosene.
The war in Iran, caused by US and Israeli attacks, could affect strategic oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz. This pressures fuel prices and availability, directly affecting the European aviation sector.
Due to this instability, authorities and the aviation sector have strengthened contingency measures, with some airlines already reducing flights because of rising fuel costs.
SCR/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
