Japanese jet fuel output rose last week to the highest level since July last year, supported by expected increased air travel demand with a rise in the country's Covid-19 vaccination rates.
Jet fuel output was around 207,000 b/d in the week to 3 July, according to the Petroleum Association of Japan. It was the first time production was above 200,000 b/d since the week to 4 July 2020.
Nearly 22pc of the country's population has received their first vaccine as of yesterday, up by 12.4 percentage points from a month earlier. The Japanese government is speeding up its vaccination roll-out, with a target to complete a programme for people who want to take it by October and November this year. More younger people are gradually able to take the vaccinations, potentially encouraging people to travel during the summer holiday season.
Japan's overall jet fuel consumption for domestic flights in April rose by 50.8pc from a year earlier to around 43,000 b/d. Demand for international flights, both originating in Japan and outside Japan, was 69,000 b/d for the month. This was almost three times higher than the same month last year, land and transportation ministry data show. But April consumption was still lower by 40.6pc and 33.4pc for both sectors respectively compared with April 2019 prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
