I don't really understand why iron is being considered over aluminum. Is aluminum production from ore too complex compared to iron? I would have to imagine burning metallic aluminum produces much more energy per gram.
Aluminium production is complex and might be less efficient per kilogram than iron production. Also, compared to iron there are no known processes to employ hydrogen, which can be had from green-ish sources, in aluminium production.
Aluminum definitely oxidizes extremely well. Most of the aluminum you come in constant with is oxidized intentionally (anodizing).
It’s just a ridiculously expensive metal to make.
Look up how much alumina is minded all over the world, how it’s shipped to Iceland for processing because of their cheap geothermal electricity, then shipped to China to processing, then shipped back around the world to final destination. It’s crazy.