Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has reassured passengers that jet fuel supplies at major airports remain stable despite an unplanned shutdown at Sasol’s Natref refinery.
The refinery shutdown could affect Jet A-1 availability from early September, but ACSA said it has measures in place to protect fuel security and minimise disruptions to airport operations.
Natref supplies between 70% and 80% of the jet fuel used at OR Tambo International Airport, with the remainder coming through the Multi-Product Pipeline from the coast and dedicated rail deliveries.
OR Tambo currently has five to six days of fuel cover, based on average daily demand of about 3 850 cubic metres.
Cape Town International Airport has about 4.5 days of cover, with supplies secured through the Astron refinery and marine imports. This is expected to rise to around 5.5 days after a fuel storage tank returned from maintenance on 26 August.
Other airports also have healthy reserves. King Shaka International has about 12 days of stock, while airports including George, Chief Dawid Stuurman, King Phalo, Bram Fischer, Kimberley and Upington have at least six days of supply through import-backed arrangements.
ACSA said it monitors fuel stocks daily and maintains a minimum baseline of five days at its fuel farms.
The Natref outage, caused by a steam boiler failure that damaged key refinery units, is expected to affect production and jet fuel availability from around 6 September to 4 October, subject to the successful completion of repairs.
The industry is preparing to rely more heavily on coastal jet fuel imports through Durban, alongside additional diesel injections, improved Transnet logistics and closer coordination between stakeholders.
ACSA said formal crisis measures would be activated if fuel stocks at any airport were expected to fall to three days of cover.
These would include closer monitoring of replenishments, direct engagement with airlines and activation of its Fuel Forum.
Sasol and the Fuel Industry of South Africa are expected to submit a formal mitigation proposal to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy on Monday, 31 August.
ACSA said it would continue working with industry stakeholders to manage the situation and minimise any disruption to airport operations.
The refinery shutdown could affect Jet A-1 availability from early September, but ACSA said it has measures in place to protect fuel security and minimise disruptions to airport operations.
Natref supplies between 70% and 80% of the jet fuel used at OR Tambo International Airport, with the remainder coming through the Multi-Product Pipeline from the coast and dedicated rail deliveries.
OR Tambo currently has five to six days of fuel cover, based on average daily demand of about 3 850 cubic metres.
Cape Town International Airport has about 4.5 days of cover, with supplies secured through the Astron refinery and marine imports. This is expected to rise to around 5.5 days after a fuel storage tank returned from maintenance on 26 August.
Other airports also have healthy reserves. King Shaka International has about 12 days of stock, while airports including George, Chief Dawid Stuurman, King Phalo, Bram Fischer, Kimberley and Upington have at least six days of supply through import-backed arrangements.
ACSA said it monitors fuel stocks daily and maintains a minimum baseline of five days at its fuel farms.
The Natref outage, caused by a steam boiler failure that damaged key refinery units, is expected to affect production and jet fuel availability from around 6 September to 4 October, subject to the successful completion of repairs.
The industry is preparing to rely more heavily on coastal jet fuel imports through Durban, alongside additional diesel injections, improved Transnet logistics and closer coordination between stakeholders.
ACSA said formal crisis measures would be activated if fuel stocks at any airport were expected to fall to three days of cover.
These would include closer monitoring of replenishments, direct engagement with airlines and activation of its Fuel Forum.
Sasol and the Fuel Industry of South Africa are expected to submit a formal mitigation proposal to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy on Monday, 31 August.
ACSA said it would continue working with industry stakeholders to manage the situation and minimise any disruption to airport operations.
