The jet fuel crisis tied to the war in Iran could hit Asia ​hardest first as a shortage during the peak ‌summer period in the northern hemisphere becomes a growing concern, the head of the International Air Transport Association said on Tuesday.

The crisis ​would then impact Europe, followed by Africa and ​Latin America, Willie Walsh said, with some flight ⁠cancellations in order if fuel is rationed.

"I think we ​will see airlines starting to reduce some of their ​schedules as we go towards the peak summer period in anticipation of some fuel shortages," he said.

Still, Walsh said he expected travel ​to continue, unlike during the peak of the COVID ​pandemic when air travel effectively ground to a halt.

"I think that ‌people ⁠will continue to fly through the summer period and that people will expect to have a holiday during the summer as they have in previous years," he said, ​adding that ​demand has remained ⁠strong around the world.

Walsh said supply of Jet A fuel, which has a higher ​freezing point, could help ease supply challenges ​in ⁠Europe.

"We could see supplies of Jet A fuel being used in Europe, provided we have the regulators move fast ⁠enough and ​that they're satisfied that the ​specification of the fuel is okay to use."

Source: Reuters