Airports Company South Africa has confirmed that it is aware of several recent media reports indicating an impending fuel shortage at some of its airports.
Khambule says the problem can be best summarised as follows: “The inland refinery, which is also the main source of jet fuel into OR Tambo International Airport, is preparing for its planned temporary shutdown sometime between May and June this year, leading to a greater reliance on imported fuel from Durban.
This, he adds, is the reason for the potential crisis in jet fuel supply and Acsa, Sars and Sapia have been discussing and are finalising the implementation of contingency plans to avert the situation. “Acsa would like to emphasise once again that the responsibility to keep adequate stocks of jet fuel to meet the demands of airlines lies with the fuel suppliers and Sapia using Acsa’s infrastructure.