News
Jet fuel running out; long-haul flights may avoid Lanka
View(s):By Namini Wijedasa
Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supplies are at critically low levels with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) saying it was fighting to ensure they will last till next week.
There is likely to be a significant reduction in flights into and out of the country if stocks were not replenished urgently, industry sources said. Multiple carriers have already pruned frequencies over the inability of general sales agents (GSAs) and local airlines offices to remit dues to their principals for months. These are payable in dollars.
“The jet fuel situation is becoming very worrying,” CAASL Director General Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama said yesterday. “The Ministry is involved in trying to get it sorted out. We are calculating till when we can run and hope to manage till the end of the month.” That is five days away.
A “notice to airmen” (NOTAM) was likely to be issued overnight. The CAASL has requested the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for jet fuel but there has been “no confirmed news from the CPC”. The supplier is also struggling to find fuel for ground transport, power stations and generators.
The Authority was still evaluating the impact of the jet fuel running out. “Flights will continue somehow but there will be a significant shortage if the CPC cannot supply fuel,” Capt. Abeywickrama said.
Airline representatives attended a meeting chaired by Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva this week. They were told the CPC had only a week’s reserves and was not in a position to procure more. They were also told the Ministry was looking at securing jet fuel through a third party. From Tuesday, no airline can uplift fuel from Colombo and will need to tanker it for the return trip.
The CAASL pointed to the looming crisis in May when it first asked international airlines to load up on extra fuel before departing for Colombo. This was to ensure sufficient supply for the return journey. The national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, has been fuelling in Chennai and Trivandrum, South India, for a month.
The situation was managed with a combination of international carriers bringing their own fuel as well as stocks in Sri Lanka. But with supplies in danger of completely running out, airlines will be forced to guarantee sufficient fuel for return journeys. This will particularly hurt long-haul flights because the quantities they require will force them to reduce cargo and passenger loads, airline industry sources said.
“Overall, it could impact the number of frequencies operating into the country,” a spokesman said, requesting anonymity. “Payload restrictions could come into play with fewer passengers and less cargo.”
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