Creecy develops solution to salvage OR Tambo International Airport fuel problems

JOHANNESBURG - Transport Minister Babara Creecy has developed a solution to salvage the OR Tambo International Airport fuel problems.

Last month, the minister and various stakeholders adopted a logistics plan to transport jet fuel to the airport.

This comes after a fire earlier last month at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa disturbed the distribution of jet fuel causing major flight delays and cancellations.

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OR Tambo utilises about 3.6 million litres of jet fuel a day and the fire on 4 January 2025 caused a major issue in the supply chain.

Creecy said fuels industry stakeholders such as Sasol, Airports Company South Africa and the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa adopted a logistics plan to transport jet fuel secured by the fuels industry last week for OR Tambo International Airport.

According to the department - over the weekend, opening stock at ORTIA sat at 20.1 million litres.

An additional 59 million litres of jet fuel have been injected into the pipeline which is expected to arrive on Thursday.

According to Creecy, this volume may necessitate the removal of the current restrictions on airlines and bring the fuel supply closer to normal operations.

Creecy has commended the various stakeholders for their collaborative efforts.