Austria expects shortfall in European fuel deliveries from May

Flughafen Wien AG

15/04/2026 15:03

VIENNA, April 15 (Reuters) - Reduced fuel deliveries due to the war in the Middle East will be felt in Europe as of next month, Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said on Wednesday during an official visit to India, Austrian news agency APA reported.

Israeli and U.S. military strikes on Iran, and Tehran's response of largely shutting down shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, have sent oil prices soaring and Western governments searching for ways to cushion the blow to consumers.

"The upheavals of recent weeks will reach Europe with a time lag," APA quoted Hattmannsdorfer as telling reporters in New Delhi. His office was not immediately available for comment.

Hattmannsdorfer added that diesel deliveries would fall by 5% and jet fuel by 15% in May, which would have an "effect on the price", according to APA.

Vienna International Airport was, however, well supplied with jet fuel since 90% of its needs are met from OMV's OMVV.VI nearby Schwechat refinery, meaning the effect would be felt more keenly elsewhere.

"We are prepared for an emergency," Hattmannsdorfer said, adding that Austria had not yet released any of the oil from its strategic reserves that it agreed to tap last month in a record move coordinated among International Energy Agency member states.

 (Reporting by Francois Murphy and Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich
Editing by Peter Graff)

 ((francois.murphy@thomsonreuters.com; +43 1 2530 165 010;))