MoU aims to secure uninterrupted jet fuel supply across the UAE’s major aviation hubs.
Dubai: As global airlines cut flights and scale back operations amid jet fuel shortages, ENOC Group and Emarat have signed an agreement to help ensure uninterrupted jet fuel availability across the UAE’s airports.
Announced on Friday, the deal is aimed at strengthening business continuity planning for Jet A-1 fuel — the essential fuel powering airline operations — at a time when global supply chains remain vulnerable to disruption.
With the Strait of Hormuz under blockade, the stakes are even higher. The vital shipping route handles a major share of seaborne crude oil and refined fuels, meaning any prolonged disruption can quickly affect global prices, freight costs, and refinery operations.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for coordination between the two state-backed energy companies, including clear procedures for managing fuel supply and ensuring timely pipeline transfers and truck-loading operations.
It also includes regular testing, training exercises, and system checks to maintain operational readiness at all times.
“As a vital contributor to the UAE’s energy ecosystem, ENOC recognises the critical importance of maintaining uninterrupted fuel supplies for the aviation sector,” said Hussain Sultan Lootah, CEO of ENOC Group.
He added that the partnership will introduce “advanced logistics solutions and coordinated emergency response strategies” to ensure seamless fuel delivery, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a global aviation hub.
The agreement comes at a time when aviation demand remains strong, with UAE carriers operating near full capacity on many routes and airports handling rising passenger volumes.
Supporting the aviation ecosystem
Any disruption to fuel supply could trigger a ripple effect across airline schedules, cargo operations, and the wider economy.
Burhan Al Hashemi, CEO of Emarat, described fuel continuity as a “national responsibility,” noting that the partnership formalises how both entities will respond not only during normal operations but also in crisis scenarios.
“By aligning our preparedness, our people, and our procedures in advance, we are strengthening operational resilience and ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability when it counts,” he said.
The Business Continuity Plan will outline how operations are maintained, restored, and scaled during disruptions — whether caused by technical failures, supply shocks, or wider external events.
For the UAE, where aviation is a major economic pillar connecting tourism, trade, and transit traffic, such measures are increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure for long-term stability and growth.
Speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in Berlin, Tim Clark, President of Emirates, said the airline is currently operating at 65 per cent of its capacity, with around 13 per cent of its network still inaccessible due to ongoing airspace disruptions.
“I don’t think things will change how we operate the airline or this model,” Clark said. “We can get this back — the brand is particularly strong.”
According to Flightradar24, Emirates has operated around 400 flights since the conflict began in late February.
Meanwhile, Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, warned that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens quickly, the oil market is unlikely to return to normal immediately.
He noted that restoring production levels, shipping flows, and investment confidence would take time, meaning the impact on global energy markets could continue well beyond the immediate disruption.
