How Aviation Weathered the Fuel Crisis of the 1970s

The shortage that began in 1973 left an indelible mark on aviation, but it wasn't all bad.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 09:14 AM ET

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An oil embargo in 1973 left pilots wondering how often they could afford to fill up. [FLYING Archives]

Key Takeaways:

Current high fuel prices and low supplies for both motorists and general aviation are causing uncertainty, echoing the severe fuel shortages and rationing experienced during the 1973 OPEC oil embargo.
The 1973 crisis significantly impacted general aviation with drastic fuel cuts and price hikes, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
This past energy crisis served as a powerful catalyst for innovation, driving extensive NASA research and development efforts that led to significant advancements in fuel-efficient aircraft and engine technologies, influencing modern aviation design.

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The gas pump is anxious territory these days. Motorists are finding that gas prices are up 45 percent compared to this time last year. Diesel supplies are running low in pockets of the country as U.S. exports surge to meet demand in other countries.

The battle of limited supply versus high demand is spilling off the roadway and onto the runway. The price volatility confronting pilots at the pump at general aviation airports has provoked some uncertainty when it comes to travel plans. “The primary driver of the price volatility has been supply disruption,” Muneed Ahmed, director of trading and logistics for Avfuel, a global supplier of aviation fuel and services to the general and business aviation markets, told FLYING earlier this week.