Aviation Fuel Market Intelligence & Pricing Guide
Understand how jet fuel prices are determined, track global benchmark indices, and make smarter fuel procurement decisions. Updated market insights for airlines, operators, and fuel buyers.
Platts CIF NWE
The primary benchmark for jet fuel pricing in Europe. CIF NWE (Cost, Insurance, Freight North West Europe) reflects delivered prices in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) region and is used to price fuel at airports from Reykjavik to Istanbul.
Platts MOPS
Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) is the reference price for jet fuel in the Asia-Pacific region. It reflects FOB Singapore trading and is used to price deliveries from Tokyo to Sydney and throughout Southeast Asia.
Platts US Gulf Coast
The US Gulf Coast jet fuel assessment is the benchmark for North and South American airports. It reflects refinery output from the Gulf Coast — the world's largest refining complex — and drives pricing from JFK to GRU.
Platts Arab Gulf
The Arab Gulf FOB assessment benchmarks jet fuel pricing for Middle Eastern airports and parts of East Africa. It reflects exports from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other Gulf refineries.
How Jet Fuel Prices Are Determined
Jet fuel (Jet A-1) pricing follows a formula: Benchmark + Differential = Delivered Price. The benchmark component is driven by crude oil markets — primarily Brent crude for international markets and WTI for North America. The differential includes refinery margin (crack spread), logistics (pipeline, barge, or truck transport), airport throughput fees, and the into-plane agent's handling charge.
For most international airports, the delivered price is calculated as: Platts [Regional Benchmark] + Airport Differential (USD/USG or USD/MT). SUAT Fuels negotiates competitive differentials at each airport by leveraging relationships with multiple into-plane agents, which can save operators 2–8 cents per US gallon compared to single-source supply agreements.
Key Price Drivers in 2025–2026
- Crude oil volatility: Brent crude fluctuations directly impact jet fuel benchmarks with a 1–2 day lag.
- Refinery margins: Seasonal demand patterns (summer flying season in the Northern Hemisphere) widen crack spreads and increase jet fuel premiums.
- Geopolitical risk: Supply disruptions in key refining regions (Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, Middle East tensions) create price spikes.
- SAF mandates: ReFuelEU Aviation requirements (2% SAF by 2025, 6% by 2030) add a premium to blended fuel at European airports.
- Carbon pricing: EU ETS and CORSIA obligations add indirect costs that influence airline procurement strategies.
Understanding Fuel Differentials
The airport differential is the most variable component of fuel pricing and the area where an independent supplier like SUAT Fuels adds the most value. Differentials vary significantly by airport:
- Major hubs (LHR, FRA, JFK, DXB): Highly competitive, with multiple into-plane agents competing. Differentials are typically 4–8 cpl (cents per liter) above benchmark.
- Regional airports: Less competition, often a single fuel supplier. Differentials can reach 15–25 cpl above benchmark.
- Remote/island airports: Limited infrastructure and transport costs push differentials to 30–50+ cpl above benchmark.
SUAT Fuels helps operators optimize their fuel costs by comparing differentials across airports on their route network and identifying uplift opportunities — airports where extra fuel can be loaded at lower prices to reduce purchases at more expensive stops.
SAF Pricing: What Airlines Need to Know
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) currently trades at a 2–4× premium over conventional Jet A-1. This premium reflects the higher production costs of HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) and other SAF pathways, limited production capacity, and strong demand driven by regulatory mandates.
Key SAF pricing factors:
- Feedstock cost: UCO (Used Cooking Oil) and tallow prices directly impact HEFA-SAF production costs.
- Regulatory incentives: US Blender's Tax Credit, EU SAF mandates, and national incentives affect the net cost of SAF.
- Book-and-claim: For airports where physical SAF supply is unavailable, book-and-claim certificates allow airlines to claim SAF benefits at a lower cost than physical delivery.
SUAT Fuels offers both physical SAF supply at major hubs and book-and-claim SAF certificates for CORSIA compliance. Learn more about our SAF supply →
Military Fuel Pricing
Military fuels (JP-8, JP-5, JP-10, F-76) follow separate pricing mechanisms. JP-8, which is essentially Jet A-1 with military-spec additive packages (corrosion inhibitor, static dissipator, icing inhibitor), trades at a modest premium over commercial Jet A-1 — typically 5–15% above benchmark. JP-10, a high-density synthetic fuel used in missiles and UAVs, is a specialty product with significantly higher pricing due to limited production capacity.
SUAT Fuels provides military fuel pricing through dedicated defense procurement channels with secure logistics and export documentation. View military fuel products →
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines jet fuel prices?
Jet fuel prices are determined by crude oil prices (primarily Brent crude), refinery crack spreads, regional supply-demand balances, and logistics costs including pipeline, barge, and into-plane handling fees. Platts publishes daily benchmark assessments that serve as the global reference for fuel pricing.
What is the difference between Platts CIF NWE and MOPS?
Platts CIF NWE (Cost, Insurance, Freight North West Europe) is the benchmark for European jet fuel deliveries. Platts MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) is the benchmark for Asia-Pacific. Each reflects regional supply-demand dynamics and is used to price fuel at airports in its respective region.
How often do jet fuel prices change?
Platts publishes daily benchmark assessments. Airport fuel prices are typically updated weekly or bi-weekly, though spot market prices can change intraday. Contract prices are usually reset monthly or quarterly based on the agreed pricing formula.
What is a fuel differential?
A fuel differential is the premium or discount applied to the Platts benchmark to arrive at the delivered price at a specific airport. It includes airport throughput fees, into-plane handling charges, quality testing costs, and the supplier's margin. Differentials vary widely by airport — from 4 cpl at major hubs to 30+ cpl at remote locations.
How can I reduce my fuel costs?
Work with an independent fuel broker like SUAT Fuels to compare differentials across your route network, identify uplift opportunities at cheaper airports, negotiate volume contracts, and access multiple into-plane agents at each location. Airlines using independent brokers typically save 2–8 cents per US gallon compared to direct supply.
What is the current jet fuel price?
Jet fuel prices are published daily by Platts and IATA. For a personalized quote at any specific airport, contact our trading desk at +34 684 742 834 or sales@suatfuels.com. We provide firm prices within 2 hours.