Fuel restrictions in place at several Italian airports

ISTANBUL

A leading supplier of aviation fuel issued a bulletin over the weekend to airlines that their distribution will be rationed until April 9 at several Italian airports amid Easter traffic and the Middle East tensions.

Air BP announced limitations on refueling at four airports, including Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso, and Venice, according to ANSA news agency.

It noted that priority in refueling will be given to air ambulance flights, state flights, and flights lasting more than three hours, while for others, distribution will be rationed at least until April 9.

President of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, ENAC, Pierluigi Di Palma, said that the difficulties in fuel supply “are linked to the Easter period of heavy traffic, not to the blockage of Hormuz."

“If the conflict were to continue, there will be consequences,” he told ANSA.

Announcement came as regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Iran has also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.