⚠️ EASA Fuel Confusion Warning: Mumbai and Bangkok Become High-Exposure Hubs
To mitigate Jet A-1 supply shortages caused by the Middle East conflict, EASA issued Jet A usage guidance documents twice, on May 9 and May 28, 2026. AIN subsequently warned that the risk of confusion between Jet A and Jet A-1 would affect airports across Europe, Africa, Australia, India, and Southeast Asia—the two fuels are identical in appearance and share common fueling interfaces, but differ in freezing point (Jet A approximately -40°C, Jet A-1 approximately -47°C), posing a safety hazard for long-range business jets operating at high-altitude low-temperature cruise. Avi-Go data shows that from January 1 to June 18, 2026, Indian business jet departures reached 15,507, with Mumbai (VABB) at 2,164 and Delhi (VIDP) at 2,103 leading the count; five Southeast Asian countries totaled 11,095 departures, with Bangkok Don Mueang (VTBD) leading at 1,618. India's overall departure volume exceeded Southeast Asia's by approximately 39.8%, highlighting the high-risk exposure of these cross-fuel-system nodes.
Impact: During the transition period when Jet A and Jet A-1 are supplied in parallel, an erroneous fueling event at high-frequency hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangkok would raise the risk of fuel freezing during the cruise phase of long-range business jets, potentially leading to reduced range or diversion. FBOs and operators face additional fuel verification costs and operational liability.
Recommendation: It is recommended that operators and FBOs establish a dual fuel-type verification step in the fueling process at high-exposure airports in India and Southeast Asia before the end of July 2026, and require crews to confirm during the dispatch phase whether the fuel freezing point meets the minimum temperature requirements of the planned route.