The Jet Fuel Forum Committee (JFF) would like to provide an update on the jet fuel stock levels at O.R Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). The airport as of 16 May 2022 had 5.8 days’ worth of jet fuel. The supply of jet fuel remains sufficient for all airlines operating at ORTIA. The JFF is of the view that there is no need for Airlines to tanker fuel or cancel scheduled flights. 

Since the last update on 09 May 2022, ACSA and the JFF have had numerous discussions on securing sufficient jet fuel for ORTIA.

Developments on securing Fuel

The South African Petroleum Industry Association has fully injected the 20 million litres they had guaranteed into the Multi Product pipeline in Durban as of 12 May 2022. This fuel is expected to arrive at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa by 20 May, and the first batch is expected to get to ORTIA by 27 May 2022. This is in addition to the weekly 16 million litres transported directly from NATREF to ORTIA via the dedicated Transnet Jet Fuel Pipeline.

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) have enabled rail services from Matola, Mozambique and to ORTIA with 1.1 million per week from 3 May 2022. The second train arrived on 16 May 2022. There is a further 1.9 million litres of jet fuel expected to arrive at ORTIA on the 18th of May 2022 from Durban via rail.This is part of Transnet’s business continuity plan to ensure security of supply of Jet fuel to OR Tambo.

The Central Energy Fund has also committed an additional 1.5 million litres which is expected to arrive at ORTIA by 25 May 2022. 

Cancelled flights

Despite disruptions to the transportation of jet fuel as a result of the recent KwaZulu-Natal floods, exacerbated by the railway infrastructure damage resulting in force majeure being declared by multiple fuel suppliers, only two flights have cancelled since the jet fuel challenge started.  

For the week starting 09 May and ending 16 May 2022 ORTIA had a total of 1 726 flight movements, with 708 being international flights, 1 018 domestic flights, and zero cancellation of flights. 

Rail repairs and additional fuel for ORTIA

• TFR infrastructure rehabilitation is on track and the next milestone is the resumption of a single line operation on the Container Corridor mainline from 9 June 2022, followed by a double line operation commencing from 17 September 2022.
• As imports become available for transportation via rail or pipelines, Transnet, through the relevant Operating Division’s will ensure that this jet fuel is transported to ORTIA.

Fuel Forum 

The JFF had a meeting this afternoon and agreed that there is sufficient jet fuel at ORTIA to meet demand for all airlines. However, this fuel needs to be made available by the Oil Company’s that have stock available, a process which the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) will further engage their members on.

Fuel Forum Members 

• Department of Energy
• Department of Minerals and Energy
• Airports Company South Africa
• Central Energy Fund
• Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa
• International Air Transport Association
• Transnet Pipelines
• Transnet Freight Rail
• Airlines Association of Southern Africa
• South African Petroleum Industry Association 
• National Energy Regulator of South Africa
• AOA
• AOC