The International Air Transport Association (Iata), representing airlines globally, has warned of looming shortages of aviation fuel in Europe and elsewhere. In a blog, Stuart Fox, Iata’s director for Flight and Technical Operations, wrote: “The recent pressure on the supply of aviation fuel globally due to the war in the Middle East has put a spotlight on something most passengers never think about: the fuel in the aircraft. “If the war continues, it won’t be long before we see fuel shortfalls in parts of the world.” Mr Fox argued that the harm caused by potential shortages for airlines outside North America could be eased if they were allowed to use Jet A fuel in place of Jet A-1. The two fuels are almost identical. The main operational difference is the temperature at which they freeze. Jet A-1 has a lower maximum freezing point (minus 47C) than Jet A (minus 40C), giving aircraft operating on Jet A-1 slightly more flexibility on longhaul and polar routes.…