Why Aviation Fuel is Facing A Global Shortage

The aviation industry heavily relies on a consistent supply of aviation fuel, commonly known as jet fuel, to ensure smooth operations. Despite the availability of jet fuel at airports around the world, recent challenges have led to shortages that impact the industry significantly. This article delves into the reasons behind these supply issues, focusing on the shortage of truck drivers and the negative impact of certain political decisions.

Truck Driver Shortage: A Major Obstacle

The current shortage of truck drivers plays a crucial role in the aviation fuel supply issues. One of the primary reasons for this shortage is the extended and increased unemployment benefits provided under the stimulus measures. With these benefits, truck drivers do not perceive the same financial incentive to work the often demanding 40 to 80-hour weeks required by the industry. This situation can significantly disrupt the supply chain, as aviation fuel needs to travel from refineries and depots to airports primarily by road.

Furthermore, the Biden administration's policies have further complicated the situation in the oil refinement industry. Regulatory changes and policy shifts aimed at environmental sustainability have inadvertently hampered the efficiency of the supply chain. This is a critical issue, as the transportation and distribution of aviation fuel are crucial to maintaining the daily operations of both small and large commercial airlines.

Issues with Avgas and Environmental Regulations

Avgas, another form of aviation fuel used in piston engines, faces its own set of challenges. Avgas is typically formulated with tetraethyl lead (TEL), which is crucial for high-octane ratings and lubrication of engine valves. However, TEL, which was widely used before the 1970s, is now rare due to environmental regulations and expensive because of the reduced scale of production. As a result, avgas has become more expensive and less readily available, putting additional pressure on the aviation industry.

Developers are working on alternative formulations to TEL, but the process is slow and expensive. Engines designed for avgas are also facing significant and costly modifications to meet the new environmental and safety standards. Until these replacements are commercially viable, the aviation industry remains constrained by the high cost and limited availability of avgas.

Future Outlook: Moves Towards Diesel Engines

Given the challenges faced by both jet fuel and avgas, there is a growing trend towards diesel engines running on jet fuel. This shift is driven by the uniformity and availability of jet fuel, which makes it a more reliable and cost-effective alternative for advancing aircraft engines. As technology progresses, diesel engines powered by jet fuel are likely to replace avgas entirely, making the aviation industry more efficient and sustainable.

The aviation industry is facing multiple challenges, primarily due to a shortage of truck drivers and regulatory changes. While avgas struggles with the removal of lead additives and the development of alternative formulations, the industry is gradually moving towards more reliable and environmentally friendly solutions like diesel engines running on jet fuel.