President says multiple countries have denied refueling rights to Philippine carriers amid jet fuel shortage caused by U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, forcing airlines to carry return fuel.
MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned that the grounding of commercial aircraft due to a worsening jet fuel shortage is now a “distinct possibility,” as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran continues to disrupt global fuel supplies.
In an interview with Bloomberg News published Tuesday, Marcos revealed that several countries have informed Philippine carriers they will not be permitted to refuel on their territory. The restriction forces Philippine airlines to carry enough fuel for both outbound and return journeys—a logistical challenge that reduces cargo capacity, limits range, and raises operational risks.
“We are looking at a distinct possibility of having to ground planes if this continues,” Marcos told Bloomberg, underscoring the severity of the situation facing the country’s aviation sector.
The fuel crisis stems from broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, where the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has disrupted refining capacity and supply chains. The impact has rippled across international aviation, with carriers from various nations struggling to secure jet fuel at foreign airports.
Marcos did not identify which countries had imposed refueling restrictions on Philippine carriers, but the development has prompted urgent contingency planning within the government and the airline industry.
The crisis is not isolated to the Philippines. Other Asian nations are also feeling the pressure. Vietnam, along with several other countries, has announced that airlines are preparing to implement fuel surcharges on international routes starting in early April—a move expected to increase ticket prices for travelers across the region.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has not yet issued an official statement on potential flight cancellations or reductions. However, industry sources indicate that local carriers are reviewing flight schedules and may be forced to consolidate routes if the refueling restrictions expand.
Passengers are advised to monitor updates from their airlines as the situation develops.
