Flights unaffected by contaminated fuel at OR Tambo International Airport

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) announced earlier today that it had been advised by the Fuel Consortium that the fuel line between NATREF and OR Tambo International Airport was contaminated with off-specification Jet A-1 - rendering the fuel unfit for use by airlines - but this has not affected flights.
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The impact of the contamination on the fuel pipeline is such that approximately seven million litres of fuel - currently in storage - is unusable, reducing O.R. Tambo International Airport’s stock levels from four days to 1.6 days. The airport normally receives approximately three million litres of fuel daily through the dedicated pipeline from NATREF.

ACSA, together with its airline stakeholders, has been engaginged with the fuel suppliers on what measures can be taken to maintain the supply of jet fuel at OR Tambo International Airport.

Meanwhile, the OR Tambo management team has been working with both domestic and international airlines on various measures, including the uptake of fuel at ACSA’s other network of airports. These are aimed at minimising the impact on airlines, passengers and overall airport operations.

“At this point the airport is operating normally. We remain hopeful that the fuel suppliers will find a solution as a matter of urgency. ACSA will provide all the necessary support”, says ACSA Group Communications Manager, Solomon Makgale. 

ACSA met with the airlines and fuel suppliers this morning to discuss how best to address the current fuel supply challenges at O.R. Tambo International caused by the contaminated fuel received from NATREF.

ACSA receives fuel in three different ways, a dedicated pipeline from NATREF (Sasolburg), dedicated rail tank cars from the coast and volumes of fuel through a pipeline from Durban. The airport received seven million litres of contaminated fuel through the dedicated pipeline from NATREF, the primary source of Jet A1.

The contaminated fuel in the two tanks has been isolated and cannot be used. The airport has certified fuel in the other tanks that is being used for refuelling.

Currently, OR Tambo International Airport has fuel for 1.4 days and the fuel supply industry - led by Air BP - is currently working to address the situation. No flights are being affected at this stage and all ACSA airports remain fully operational.
 

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