• News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Saturday, May 31, 2025
  • Login
Auto Journal Africa
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Ask Autojorunal AI
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Read a ride Aerospace

Fuel shortage forces flight diversion from South Africa’s OR Tambo airport

David Ijaseun by David Ijaseun
February 2, 2025
in Aerospace, Business, News Around Africa
0
new airport in Sedibeng district

new airport in Sedibeng district

528
SHARES
9.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Airlines are diverting flights from South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport as a jet fuel shortage threatens operations at the country’s busiest airport. A fire at the Natref refinery on January 4 slashed jet fuel production, forcing carriers to refuel at alternate airports, including Namibia.

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said OR Tambo currently holds 27.1 million liters of jet fuel, enough to last until February 2. With daily consumption at 3.6 million liters, reserves are running critically low. Natref, which supplies 80% of the airport’s fuel, does not expect production to resume until February 27.

READ ALSO

BMW reveals next-gen superbike concept with 230hp and carbon winglets

Xiaomi rides high on Q1 boom, profits surge 65%

“The distribution of fuel remains at the discretion of airlines and suppliers,” ACSA said, adding that carriers are implementing measures like tankering—carrying extra fuel for onward journeys.

Airlines and Economy Hit

The crisis is straining South Africa’s aviation industry and its economy. Aviation expert Guy Leitch warned that recurring fuel shortages and poor infrastructure are deterring airlines from flying to Johannesburg.

“There’s no backup system at OR Tambo. This jeopardizes the airline industry and the entire South African economy,” Leitch told SABC News.

Swiss Air and Lufthansa have already diverted flights to Namibia for refueling, while other carriers have incurred extra costs by carrying additional fuel. Leitch said that refueling in Durban or Mozambique could be explored but added that the latter’s supply line is currently unavailable.

Historical Failures and Long-Term Risks

Leitch criticized South Africa’s authorities for failing to address infrastructure gaps. “Authorities have known about OR Tambo’s storage inadequacies for over a decade but have taken no action,” he said.

The Secunda refinery, which supplies up to 30% of OR Tambo’s jet fuel, and imports from Maputo, are unreliable alternatives. Delays in maintaining the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) infrastructure have compounded the situation, causing flight cancellations across other airports like George and East London.

Seeking Solutions

ACSA is collaborating with stakeholders to address the crisis. Plans include prioritizing fuel shipments from Durban, increasing reserves at King Shaka International Airport, and ensuring airlines adopt tankering strategies.

Without urgent action, Leitch warns the situation will worsen. “The lack of investment in critical transport infrastructure reflects South Africa’s broader de-industrialization and decline,” he said.

Read more on Auto experts reveal the best time to buy or sell your car in South Africa

Tags: airportHeadlineSouth Africa

Related Posts

BMW reveals next-gen superbike concept with 230hp and carbon winglets
Business

BMW reveals next-gen superbike concept with 230hp and carbon winglets

May 31, 2025
Xiaomi hypercar
Business

Xiaomi rides high on Q1 boom, profits surge 65%

May 27, 2025
Safe Return: The new tech making single-pilot flights safer than ever
Aerospace

Safe Return: The new tech making single-pilot flights safer than ever

May 24, 2025
Hawaiian Airlines
Aerospace

Passengers face steep penalties as Hawaiian Airlines tightens “no-show policy”

May 24, 2025
Sylndr raises $15.7m to fix Egypt’s used-car market with digital tools
Africa

Sylndr raises $15.7m to fix Egypt’s used-car market with digital tools

May 24, 2025
Bombardier jets
Aerospace

Bombardier Global 8000 completes first flight as fastest civil jet nears delivery

May 24, 2025
Next Post
U.S. tariffs on car imports

German carmakers warn Trump’s tariffs would hurt U.S. consumers, global auto industry

POPULAR NEWS

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

July 3, 2023
Mobius Motors

Mobius Motors: Rising taxes, competition ends Kenyan SUV maker’s journey

August 7, 2024
Autojournal car race

Get ready for the biggest RACE show this December in Nigeria

August 12, 2024
From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

October 25, 2024
Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

August 22, 2023

EDITOR'S PICK

seat capacity for commercial aviation

Commercial aviation: Half of world’s top airlines still lagging behind pre-pandemic seat capacity

July 14, 2023
Sport cars

How important the car business is to an economy

July 5, 2023
new airport in Sedibeng district

Private pockets to fund South Africa’s new airport in Sedibeng district

November 28, 2024
Fast & Furious Cars

Cars in crime: top automobile movies for action, suspense lovers

March 30, 2023

About

Auto Journal Africa is the leading online and print magazine for automobiles in Africa.

Follow us

Recent Posts

  • Toyota transforms RAV4 into all-hybrid SUV starting 2026
  • BMW reveals next-gen superbike concept with 230hp and carbon winglets
  • Tesla loses ground in Europe as EV rivals surge amid cooling sentiment over Model Y
  • Xiaomi rides high on Q1 boom, profits surge 65%

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Events
  • Tools
  • For Sale

© 2023 Auto Journal

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa

© 2023 Auto Journal

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In