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.
“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.
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