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Thursday / 6 February 2025
HomeNewsFuel shortage looming at South Africa’s biggest airport

Fuel shortage looming at South Africa’s biggest airport

O.R. Tambo International Airport is currently facing a potential jet fuel shortage, following a fire that broke out at the Natref Refinery on Saturday, 4 January 2025.

The fire caused major damage to the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), leading to concerns that the facility will be unable to maintain a steady fuel supply to the country’s largest airport.

All hands on deck

The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA) is currently working with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to avoid disruptions to the latter’s flight schedule.

Unfortunately, the damaged CDU is only expected to be operational again by 21 February, as such, interim measures are being implemented to ensure a sufficient supply of jet fuel, including an increase in rail transport deliveries from Durban and Matola in Mozambique.

ACSA is also making plans to source fuel from smaller airports in order to keep South Africa’s main flight centre operational.

The supply at O.R. Tambo was recently topped up following a delivery of 17,000 cubic metres of fuel on Sunday, 12 January, and another 31,000 cubic metres are expected to arrive from Durban this Tuesday.

ACSA reported to stakeholders that this influx of fuel should be enough to maintain the airport’s jet fuel reserves until the following Monday (20 January).

However, the next delivery is only set to take place on 27 January, meaning the airport is currently facing a week without fuel.

In response, ACSA, FIASA, Natref, and other industry players are all working to finalize a solution by the 14th.

The airport’s management has reiterated to its airlines and passengers that normal operations are expected to continue without interruptions and that it is committed to transparent communication with regard to any potential hurdles.

Regular updates will be provided as the situation unfolds, starting with the plan to source fuel for the week starting on Monday the 20th, which should be announced tomorrow.

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