Diesel and kerosene: Hattmannsdorfer expects a delivery bottleneck in May

Specifically, in Europe due to lower deliveries 5 percent of diesel and 15 percent kerosene missing, he said. This has an “effect on the price,” says Hattmannsdorfer. At the same time, he added that 90 percent of the aviation fuel used at Vienna-Schwechat Airport is produced in the nearby refinery. “The main problem is when a plane flies somewhere else,” said the Economics Minister.

Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), when asked about the effects of the kerosene shortage, added that this would probably happen higher flight ticket prices will lead.

“Prepared for an emergency”

“We are prepared for an emergency,” emphasized Hattmannsdorfer, who described security of fuel supply as the “top priority”. Nothing has yet to be called up from the reserves that have already been released, he said. Hattmannsdorfer and Stocker are now touching down “Awareness Raising” and also a change in demand behavior. “Everyone should think about where they can save energy,” said Hattmannsdorfer.

Further measures possible

If there is a shortage, further measures will be advised. The Mandatory emergency reserve could only go to Austrian customers, he emphasized when asked whether a restriction on the supply of fuel to vehicles with foreign license plates was also possible.

Stocker expressed skepticism about this because a lot of what is transported through Austria comes back into the country – and with it possible higher prices. “These are recipes that never work,” he said, protesting against discrimination against fuel tourists.

Special audit requested by OMV

Both politicians described the Fuel price brake as a success and want to hold on to it. According to Hattmannsdorfer, it was “the tip of the scales” that inflation would remain below three percent this year. This is also very important, among other things, for the collective agreement rounds that are now beginning.

Stocker pointed out that other countries want to adopt the Austrian model and are studying it. The government also wants to take a closer look OMVwhich wants to reduce its profit margin on diesel by only 2.8 cents instead of five cents as planned in the fuel price cap.

Hattmannsdorfer said that the E-Control with one Special test OMV was commissioned. There is an emergency clause in the regulation, according to which corporations do not have to resell below the production cost. “OMV has to provide evidence of this,” says Hattmannsdorfer.

Stocker saw OMV’s actions as evidence that the fuel price brake was working. “We don’t want disproportionate profits. If OMV can’t increase its margin anyway, then I don’t have to slow down,” he said.