Wizz Air Reports Jet Fuel Shortages at Three Italian Airports

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air experienced jet fuel shortages at three airports in Italy on April 17, 2026, according to its chief executive. The affected airports were Venice, Brindisi and Catania.

Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi confirmed the issue in an interview with Italian business daily Il Sole 24 Ore, stating that the shortages were resolved within a day and in some cases within hours, without any flight cancellations.

The fuel limitations in Italy were linked to broader concerns about jet fuel supplies in Europe following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in Iran. Europe normally imports about half of its jet fuel from Gulf countries, making it vulnerable to disruptions in the region.

Varadi noted that Wizz Air had not experienced similar fuel shortages in any other European country to date. He described the situation in Italy as a “minor hiccup” and emphasized that jet fuel supplies had been adequate across the rest of Europe.

Despite the resolved incident, Varadi acknowledged that airlines are monitoring the situation closely to assess potential risks, particularly as the summer travel season approaches. He stated that demand for travel in Europe remains hesitant as passengers wait to see how the fuel supply situation develops.

According to Varadi, Wizz Air’s contingency plan involves ensuring aircraft carry sufficient fuel for an additional journey if shortages arise at a given airport. Service reductions would only be considered if this measure proves insufficient.

The CEO expressed confidence that the fuel supply challenges would be overcome without significant damage to operations, adding that problems appear more severe in Asia than in Europe at this time.