Warning of possible scenarios of energy crisis in fuel in Europe, with implications for flights and tourism in the run-up to the 2026 summer season.

At a time of increased uncertainty for international energy markets and transport, warnings about the supply and cost of aviation fuel were at the heart of the European debate, with the European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas outlining the possible management scenarios in the event of a prolonged crisis, but also the impacts that may be felt on flights and tourism at a pan-European level. The 11th Delphi Economic Forum highlighted the need for a coordinated strategic response, with emphasis on energy security and transport stability, while Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas stressed tight coordination with the European Commission and promoting critical infrastructure projects. In the same context, the discussion was also linked to wider geopolitical developments, which directly affect the market and the planning of the next tourist season.

The European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas referred to the projects underway for the overall upgrading of the railway, air and road network in our country at the 11th Delphi Economic Forum. At the same time, on the occasion of the Middle East crisis there was an assurance from the European Commissioner that the market fuel stocks are sufficient until the beginning of June, while he sent a message of certainty for tourism in the 2026 season.

Fuel supplies exist

In relation to the issue of aviation fuel, Apostolos Tzitzikostas said that fuel stocks exist, but he said that the emergency stocks held by the EU are sufficient for about 90 days. At this stage, the market is finding fuel normally, at a very high price of course, and for him, any flight cancellations are due to their high price, because these routes are no longer in the airlines’ interest.

He argued, however, that the fuel shortage will start if the crisis does not end and the passage through the Straits of Hormuz is not restored by the beginning of June. If that does not happen, there are several scenarios being worked out to make a coordinated way of using the stocks Europe-wide and planning to resolve any problems that arise.

At the same time, he sent a message of confidence and security for tourism for the upcoming summer season, adding, however, that a decline in arrivals from Asia is expected.

Tzitzikostas also spoke about the projects for the transport of military equipment along the European continent, with 500 points planned, which are expected to be completed by 2030 and for which a total of 100 billion euros will be spent. EUR 100 million.

By the end of 2026, the country will have a modern railway

Following a question from the journalist – moderator of the debate Katerina Tsamouri on the Tempi and the timetable for the completion of the railway projects, the European Commissioner replied that “Tempi is an open wound, and it will be as long as we have an open breach of European regulations by Greece”, adding that the country in the last one and a half year is faithfully following the project schedule and within the summer two ultra-modern trains will be delivered, while there is a commitment that at the end of 2026 the country will have a modern railway.

For his part, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas pointed, on the issue of aviation fuel, that there is excellent coordination with the EU, with Member States and airlines, as all stocks are notified to the EU in order to have a comprehensive assessment of the issue.

In response to a question from Ms Tsamouri on the black out last January at the airports, he said that contracts for the VCRS system are progressing, which if it had been in place then, the black out would not have happened, while the contract for another air navigation system, PPN and the centralised Pallas system will be before the Court of Auditors next week.

All this is being done in consultation with the European Commission, with whose cooperation a 276-point plan for the overall upgrade of air navigation has also been drawn up, which will be implemented in total by December 2028, with some projects completed earlier.

The remaining projects

With regard to the Greece-Bulgaria-Romania vertical rail and road axis, the minister said it will have benefits for all countries involved and after the signing of the initial memorandum, there will be a trilateral cooperation meeting in Thessaloniki next year to define the next steps and then announce the final agreement. On this point, the European Commissioner added that the first €280 million for this project will be delivered on 9 May to the Ministry of Infrastructure, but without giving an estimate on when this project, which he described as ”the most critical artery of Europe”, will be completed.

Then Dimas referred to the progress of the projects financed by the Recovery Fund, saying that 45 km of the E65, a €480 million project, will be delivered in early summer, while he stressed that €600 million was given to repair the damage caused by the Daniel storm in Thessaly. 600 euros, work has already been completed in 200 places and in another 200 are in progress.

He added that works are taking place on the Athens-Thessaloniki railway, two road safety projects in Chania, in parallel with the development of the BOAK.

Finally, and in response to a question from the journalist on whether Greece’s trains are safe, the Minister replied that “trains are safe, all means of transport are safe”, however the aim is to make them even safer and that is why projects are being carried out on telecommand systems, air navigation and measures are being taken for the traffic of vehicles.