Johannesburg’s primary airport, OR Tambo, was severely impacted by a fuel issue on Monday 9 December.
The failure of Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport to supply jet fuel for aircraft has ramifications for the airport and airline operators.
The issue caused lengthy delays and cancelled flights at the start of the summer peak holiday travel season in South Africa.
OR TAMBO AIRPORT’S FUEL ISSUE
The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) notes with grave concern the failure of the main valve in the refuelling system at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday 9 December.
“Although AASA appreciates the efforts being made by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to restore fuel supplies at what is Southern Africa’s busiest air travel and air cargo gateway, we urge ACSA to expedite the installation of the backup bypass line that was promised as part of the fuel supply resilience plan after the previous main supply valve failure in December 2022,” said AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi.
TANKERING FUEL
In the meantime, local and regional short-haul member airlines are doing whatever they can to mitigate the impact of these disruptions.
Some flights were able to tanker extra fuel (carry more than is required for a single flight) on flights to Johannesburg.
However, the impact of uplifting fuel from places such as Cape Town has led to deficits at airports such as Cape Town International Airport, which is now rationing aviation fuel.
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PARKING ON TAXIWAYS
Furthermore, with all aircraft parking bays at OR Tambo being occupied on 9 December, many arriving aircraft were directed to park on taxiways and await buses.
This resulted in passengers disembarking flights and the unloading of baggage while aircraft are parked on taxiways.
OR TAMBO FUEL ISSUE
One flight was able to take off from OR Tambo Airport and fly, via Lanseria International Airport, to refuel.
It then made its way to Cape Town.
Although the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has temporarily opened the fuel line, there is still a backlog of aircraft waiting to be refuelled.
Issues such as this might in fact force airlines to reconsider using OR Tambo as their Johannesburg hub.
Privately-owned Lanseria International Airport may soon become the airport of choice for more airlines.
FlySafair is currently the only commercial airline offering scheduled flights from Lanseria.
ABOUT AASA
AASA represents most of the airlines in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region on matters of common interest.
Its members include airport and air navigation service operators, aircraft and engine manufacturers, ground handlers, fuel suppliers and other role-players across the air transport value chain.
