Two of Australia’s largest sources of jet fuel could be cut off as South Korea and China eye restrictions

South Korean airlines have asked their government to redirect export-bound jet fuels back to the domestic market in a move which may threaten Australian imports of the critical resource amid the ongoing fuel crisis. Photograph: EPA

South Korean airlines have asked their government to help redirect jet fuel exports to the domestic market, threatening half of Australia’s imports of the critical fuel after Chinese authorities earlier this month flagged export restrictions.

Amid deepening concerns across Asia about the impact of the escalating Middle East conflict, an official at South Korea’s transport ministry told the Guardian that “some domestic carriers” had asked authorities to redirect export-bound jet fuel back to the local market due to supply concerns.