Iran chokes fuel, Cannes jets draw fury

As Iran tightens its control over the Strait of Hormuz, sparking an imminent global fuel crisis and fears of food shortages, more than 700 private jets flying celebrities to the Cannes Film Festival have been branded "obscene" by critics.

The ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway near Iran through which much of the world's oil passes, has triggered a severe global fuel shortage.

Experts now warn that food shortages and even famine are likely in many regions because fuel is needed to grow, move, and distribute food.

The illegal war launched against Iran on February 28 by the US and Israel is not only shaking the entire global energy system, but also causing a significant oil price surge.

Against this backdrop, the Cannes Film Festival, the famous A-list event in France, has come under harsh criticism.

Last year, more than 700 private jets flew to and from the festival, burning two million litres of fossil fuel. That amount of fuel is equal to driving an average car 30 million kilometres.

Former pilots and a group of millionaires are demanding that private jets to the 2026 Cannes be grounded. They are also calling on the European Union to close what they call "glaring loopholes" that allow the wealthy to avoid fuel taxes.

Katie Thompson, a former private jet pilot, said that with climate change speeding up and a real fuel crisis happening, this level of excess is outrageous and reckless. 

Thompson praised actor Pedro Pascal, who flew to Cannes in economy class last year, and said there is no reason other celebrities cannot do the same or take the train. 

Anthony Viaux, a former Air France pilot of more than 20 years, said, “The rich and famous burning through scarce fuel to get to a film festival isn’t just tone-deaf, it’s obscene.”

The 79th Cannes Film Festival is taking place on May 12-23, 2026, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.