Would it be unreasonable to ask if aviation’s biggest fuel risk is not the price of oil… but dependence on it?
- Erez "Terry" Barkaee
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Last week we spoke about how geopolitical tensions can disrupt aviation far beyond schedules.
Routes shift / Insurance rises / Airlines adjust capacity.
But there is another ripple quietly spreading through the industry.
Fuel.
Jet fuel is refined directly from crude oil. So when oil prices jump, airlines feel it almost immediately.
Fuel already represents one of the largest costs for an airline, often 20 to 35 percent of total operating expenses.
Which raises a bigger question 🤔
If aviation keeps getting exposed to oil price shocks, could this finally accelerate the transition toward cleaner and more stable alternatives like Sustainable Aviation Fuel SAF?
Not because it is fashionable - Because it might become economically necessary.
SAF is still more expensive today. Supply remains limited. Infrastructure is still developing.
Yet every geopolitical disruption reminds the industry of one uncomfortable truth.
Reliance on a single energy source creates vulnerability.
In aviation, as in aircraft operations, resilience often comes from redundancy.
Perhaps the same principle will eventually apply to fuel.
At Zooey Aerospace we see a similar pattern in aircraft support.
Operators who diversify suppliers, repair capabilities, and spares availability are far more resilient when disruptions occur.
Whether it is fuel markets or aircraft parts, the lesson appears the same.
Resilience is built before the crisis arrives.
Zooey Aerospace
A Part of Your Life
Q&A Quick Insights
Q: Is jet fuel made from crude oil? Yes. Jet fuel is a kerosene-based product refined from crude oil, which is why its price closely follows global oil markets.
Q: Why do oil price increases affect airlines so quickly? Fuel is one of the largest operating costs for airlines, often representing up to one third of total expenses.
Q: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel SAF? SAF is a cleaner alternative fuel produced from renewable sources such as waste oils, biomass, or synthetic processes designed to reduce aircraft carbon emissions.
Q: Could geopolitical disruptions accelerate SAF adoption? Possibly. If oil price volatility continues, airlines may seek more stable and diversified fuel sources.
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