Industry authorities have raised concerns that a fuel shortage could impact flights to and from Cape Town International Airport this week.

A “scheduling problem” at the Chevron refinery in Cape Town delayed flights yesterday.

But Acsa says it’s not likely the issue will affect operations any further. Deidre Davids, spokesperson for CTIA, says airlines have been requested to tanker fuel from other airports, minimising uplift in Cape Town and maximising uplift at OR Tambo.

“To date two flights have been delayed by approximately an hour with no other impact on airport operations. Flights are still arriving and departing on schedule,” she adds.

According to Davids, the airport as a general rule maintains a minimum fuel stock level of approximately three to five days. “While the available fuel has not gone below the minimum stock level there is the concern that it might as a result of supply challenges at a refinery level.”

Davids says the airport is in consultation with the airline associations and Chevron to make sure that the supplier has plans in place to meet the contracted fuel obligations of its clients - the airlines - to ensure these stock levels are maintained and that airport operations are not adversely affected.

Comair told Tourism Update it received notification last Friday that there was a possibility of very low fuel stock levels in Cape Town. The airline said: “Although Comair pro-actively managed the situation over the weekend by maximising fuel uplift at OR Tambo International, its fuel supplier in Cape Town ran out of stock on Monday, 24 February, regrettably affecting some of its scheduled flights.”

Comair confirmed that it has approached another supplier to assist and that it is managing the situation to minimise impact on its operations. “Comair will continue to tanker fuel in order to effectively minimise uplift in Cape Town.”

Meanwhile, Suzanne Pullinger, Chevron spokesperson, said: “Chevron is working closely with Shell, as the operator of the terminal, in meeting all contractual obligations and contingency plans have been activated to ensure that the product supply returns to normal as quickly as possible.”