Jet fuel crisis is brewing at SA airports amid SARS dispute

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has warned it is faced with a potential jet fuel crisis, and blamed it on a dispute between South African Revenue Service (SARS) and petroleum companies.

Stock levels at the OR Tambo International Airport have recently dipped below the acceptable five-day benchmark and some airlines have already been warned of a reduced fuel supply from their suppliers, forcing them to take operational decisions to plan for this impact.

The supply concerns come as the inland refinery, Natref, which is also the main source of jet fuel into OR Tambo International Airport, is preparing for its planned temporary shutdown sometime between May and June this year.