By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Europe, April 16, 2026 - The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned of potential disruptions affecting air travel in Europe in the coming months, raising concerns among travellers who rely on European airlines for international journeys.
According to the agency executive director, Fatih Birol, who spoke during an interview with Associated Press on Thursday, Europe has approximately a six-week supply of jet fuel left.
Birol, who branded the situation as “ the largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” warned that the situation would lead to flight cancellations if oil supplies from the Middle East Region are not restored within the coming weeks.
“I can tell you that soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of a lack of jet fuel,” Birol told Associated Press.
Since its beginning in late February, the US- Israel war on Iran has significantly compromised the global energy market, especially after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20 percent of global energy supply.
Despite the U.S. and Iran agreeing on a two- week ceasefire to pave the way for diplomatic interventions, talks to end the war failed over the weekend, with indirect talks brokered by Pakistan continuing.
According to European media houses, some airlines have already started flight cancellations as a pre-emptive measure to prevent losses.
“In the past, there was a group called Dire Straits. It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world,” Birol said.
The development comes at a time when global energy prices are skyrocketing, prompting energy regulators to increase the prices of critical petroleum products.
In its monthly review on Tuesday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the regulator, said that pump prices for Super Petrol had been increased by KSh28.69 per litre to KSh40.30 per litre, which prompted uproar from the public.
In a statement on Wednesday, the regulator announced a review of the prices again after the government decided to lower Value Added Tax (VAT) on products.
The adjustment saw the price of Super Petrol in Nairobi drop by KSh9.37 per litre, while Diesel fell by KSh10.21 per litre. The price of Kerosene remains unchanged, although its subsidy has been reduced from KSh108.10 to KSh96.56 per litre.
Following the review, motorists in Nairobi will now pay KSh197.60 for a litre of Super Petrol, KSh196.63 for Diesel, and KSh152.78 for Kerosene.
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