Qatar Airways expects fuel supplies to remain stable despite ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, although the airline warns that global fuel markets and supply chains could take time to fully recover.
In a recent webinar hosted by Qatar Airways and Tourvest Travel Services, Tony Simmons, Senior Manager and Strategic Sourcing for Fuel at Qatar Airways, said even if the Strait of Hormuz reopened within the next month, it could take around six months for global fuel supplies to be re-established.
During this time, Qatar Airways’ fuel supplies are expected to remain stable. He said with reduced demand, it was easier to manage the supplies.
The airline did raise concerns about fuel constraints in certain regions, including East Africa and remote destinations in Asia. However, some of these markets have secured alternative fuel supplies from countries not dependent on shipments through the Strait.
The airline has also implemented tankering strategies in constrained destinations. In South Africa, Simmons said they had no concerns with fuel supplies.
“Even if fuel supplies return to normal, we are expecting the prices to hold. It could take over a year for prices to get back to what they were,” said Simmons.
He added that interest in SAF dropped during March as airlines placed their focus elsewhere during the war. However, discussions around the use of SAF are expected to pick up once again, as operations return to normal.
Qatar has begun reinstating a number flights, serving over 160 destinations this summer.
Tuesday May, Manager of Geopolitical Threat and Risk at Qatar Airways, said the airline anticipated a period of stabilisation and did not expect any significant operational risks. Since the conflict erupted, she said Qatar Airways had taken steps to address immediate operational pressures while also planning ahead for potential future disruptions.
