Jet Fuel Crisis Averted at OR Tambo
The Department of Transport has announced that OR Tambo International Airport has secured 121.1 million litres of jet fuel, averting potential operational disruptions. This arrangement will ensure uninterrupted flight schedules until the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF) refinery reopens at the end of February 2025, following a fire earlier in the month that caused significant supply chain issues. The airport, which requires 3.6 million litres of jet fuel daily, had faced challenges prompting some airlines to refuel at alternate locations such as Windhoek and King Shaka Airport.
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy convened an urgent meeting with stakeholders, including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA), and SASOL, to address the crisis. As part of the solution, additional jet fuel has been imported via the Port of Durban and logistics are now in place to ensure timely delivery to OR Tambo. ACSA is also working to establish a fuel reserve to mitigate future supply interruptions caused by unforeseen events. Minister Creecy expressed her gratitude to passengers and industry stakeholders for their patience during the disruption.
Source: IOL
