Report Warns Jet Fuel Pipeline Shortages Could Ground Flights, Raise Costs

A new warning from the Consumer Energy Alliance says inadequate jet fuel pipeline capacity is putting U.S. airports at risk of fuel shortages, a pinch that could ground flights and raise costs for passengers and cargo shippers. Released July 31 and spotlighted again on August 13, 2025, the report lands as federal and state officials debate energy permitting and as airlines sketch contingency plans that could affect immigrant travelers, employers, and families across the United States 🇺🇸.

The CEA report, “Fueling Flight: The Hidden Impact of Jet Fuel Constraints on Consumers,” underscores how much air travel now carries the country’s people and goods: roughly 27,000 flights move nearly 3 million passengers and 60,000 tons of cargo each day. Demand is projected to grow 27–29% over the next decade, but the network that delivers aviation fuel is lagging. When a jet fuel pipeline is constrained, airports can face rationing, airlines must reshuffle aircraft and crews, and costs climb quickly.

David Holt, president of the Consumer Energy Alliance, framed the stakes bluntly:
“If we don’t have sufficient infrastructure, the price of aviation fuel goes up, the price of every ticket goes up. More seriously than affordability is simply not having enough fuel to get to every airport in the United States.” Recent shocks showed the system’s fragility. The 2021 Colonial Pipeline cyberattack and a 2022 San Diego-area pipeline leak forced emergency trucking and short-term rationing at some airports, according to the report and industry briefings.

Cost implications and operational strain

CEA highlights a sharp cost math many travelers never see. For every penny-per-gallon increase in delivery costs above pipeline rates, airline operating costs rise by an estimated $150 million.

• If pipelines stall, fuel must be hauled by truck or rail, which is slower and pricier.
• At a major hub like Atlanta, replacing pipeline flows could take roughly 300 fuel trucks per day — an expensive last resort that clogs roads and strains staffing.

As of August 15, 2025, there have been no nationwide groundings. Still, airlines are preparing for local disruptions, especially at airports with limited pipeline access or thin storage.

• President Biden has endorsed permitting reforms under the “Unleashing American Energy” initiative to speed energy production and construction.
• Industry groups, including CEA, want more support for private investment in new pipelines and storage.
• Environmental organizations, led by the Sierra Club, strongly oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure and warn of habitat risks and long-term dependence.

Policy signals and industry response

• Airlines, fuel distributors, and airport authorities are running tabletop exercises to coordinate contingency steps, including fuel sharing and temporary rationing when supplies tighten.
• Federal and state agencies are streamlining permits for upgrades and new capacity, although lawsuits and environmental reviews can slow progress.
• CEA and aviation groups argue that pipeline expansion and storage upgrades are the fastest way to match forecast demand.
• Environmental advocates push instead for cleaner alternatives and tighter scrutiny of projects.

Regional risks

The regional picture is uneven. Energy analysts point to PADD 5 — the West Coast — as a growing risk zone, with jet fuel import reliance expected to rise through 2045.

• States like Oregon and some California markets rely heavily on pipelines and marine shipments, and they lack local refining cushions.
• That means regional disruptions can ripple into schedule cuts, longer connections, and higher fares for westbound travelers.

What this could mean for immigrant travelers and employers

Immigrants, visa holders, and sponsors depend on predictable flights for interviews, start dates, family travel, and urgent trips. While no nationwide shutdown is in effect, a tighter fuel market raises the odds of:

• Last-minute schedule changes that make it harder to reach consular interviews or biometrics appointments on time.
• Higher fares during peak periods, straining family travel budgets for reunions, weddings, or funerals.
• Cargo delays that can slow document courier services or employer supply chains linked to onboarding.
• Longer connections, especially through West Coast hubs, as carriers rebalance aircraft and crews around fuel availability.

Practical steps now can reduce risk:

1. Book flexible tickets with no-change-fee policies.
2. Keep an itinerary that includes at least one earlier backup flight on the same day.
3. Monitor airline alerts closely and allow extra buffer days before visa interviews or time-sensitive appointments.

The U.S. Department of Transportation maintains consumer guidance on flight disruptions and refunds at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer. If you’re coordinating travel for a visa interview, leave extra buffer days before your appointment in case rebooking is required.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, immigrant families and employers are increasingly watching airline contingency planning this year, and many are building extra time into travel schedules to avoid missed milestones.

How shortages are managed when pipelines fail

The report lays out a practical, if imperfect, playbook:

1. Emergency deliveries by truck and rail. These methods bridge shortfalls but cost more and move fewer gallons per hour than pipelines.
2. Faster permitting. Agencies move to expedite approvals for maintenance, upgrades, and new construction to restore normal flows.
3. Industry coordination. Airlines, fuel suppliers, and airports share data and, when needed, ration fuel to keep essential flights moving.
4. Stakeholder talks. Policymakers, industry, and environmental groups meet to balance near-term reliability with long-term climate goals.

Economic and environmental trade-offs

The broader economic stakes are large. Aviation supports about 10 million U.S. jobs and roughly 5% of GDP, the CEA report notes. Disruptions ripple quickly:

• Fewer flights mean fewer options and more missed connections.
• Higher costs are pushed into ticket prices and shipping rates.
• E-commerce depends on belly cargo in passenger jets, so a pullback in frequencies means packages move slower or get bumped to more expensive routes.

Environmental groups counter that building new pipelines locks in emissions and threatens sensitive habitats. They advocate:

• Efficiency improvements
• Sustainable aviation fuels
• Less oil-dependent infrastructure

CEA and industry partners reply that even with cleaner fuels, the country still needs more secure and flexible delivery systems to meet demand growth over the next decade.

Official status: steady but watchful. There are no federal orders restricting travel, and airlines continue to schedule the typical mix of routes. But the combination of growing demand and aging infrastructure leaves little margin. Security concerns — including possible cyberattacks or physical tampering — also keep operators on alert.

Stay prepared.