⛽ Jet-A Supply "Critical" Alert Not Transmitting: Four Major Hubs Hit Record Movements Since May
Avi-Go data shows that despite World Fuel warning that US Jet-A supply is at a "critical level" and remains dependent on Middle Eastern crude imports, the four major business aviation hubs KTEB, KHPN, KDAL, and KPBI have not experienced any substantial capacity contraction. The four airports recorded a combined 36,451 movements in May 2026, a high point for the first half of the year, up 1.9% month-on-month from 35,779 in April. Among them, KTEB rose from 13,402 to 15,116 movements (+12.8%), KHPN +8.2%, and KDAL +4.1% continued to expand volume, with only KPBI declining 20.9% at the single airport level due to the ebbing of Florida's winter-spring peak season. Supply tightness currently remains at the level of price and safety warnings, and has not yet constrained actual flight pace. According to the 2026-05 monthly report, US business aviation movements reached 256,575 for the month, accounting for 68.57% of the global total, with strong demand fundamentals.
Impact: A "time lag" has emerged between fuel supply risk and actual capacity. Once Middle Eastern imports are disrupted or inventories become further depleted, tightness may first erupt at high-load hubs lacking buffer in the form of price spikes, refueling queues, or even supply restrictions, with high-growth airports such as KTEB carrying the greatest exposure.
Recommendation: Operators and FBOs should finalize fuel price-lock and inventory agreements at core hubs before the July 2026 summer peak season, prioritizing hedging risk at high-load airports such as KTEB and KHPN. Brokers should reserve alternate refueling plans during scheduling to avoid critical supply disruptions constraining flight execution.