Limited impact on airlines forced to ration jet fuel in New Zealand
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KEY regional airlines said on Wednesday (Dec 7) that they expected to continue scheduled flights with New Zealand, even though jet fuel was being rationed.
Rationing began after a recent shipment failed government tests.
Cath O’Brien, executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (Barnz), said that airlines had been told jet fuel supplies at Auckland Airport would be throttled to 75 per cent of planned allocations.
But national carriers Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines (SIA) ruled out immediate schedule changes. An official of another major regional airline concurred, requesting anonymity as they did not have authorisation to speak with media.
Chief safety officer at Air New Zealand David Morgan said: “We know how important it is to get our customers around our network in the lead-up to Christmas, and our team are working hard to ensure we will continue.”
No schedule changes were being considered, he added.
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A SIA spokesperson said that it was working closely with the New Zealand authorities to understand if operations would be affected. “There are currently no changes to our scheduled operations,” the spokesperson added.
Routine tests of jet fuel on Monday uncovered conductivity levels above regulatory thresholds, said importer Z Energy. The company supplies about 40 per cent of New Zealand’s transport fuels.
No concerns had been flagged by previous tests en route and on arrival.
A spokesperson for Z Energy told Reuters that the company is weighing options, such as ordering a replacement shipment.
Most of the suspect fuel will be sent to an overseas refinery for reprocessing. New Zealand’s only refinery at Marsden Point, north of Auckland, was converted into an import-only terminal in April.
The next scheduled shipment of jet fuel is due to arrive in the country on Dec 12, and will be ready for use by Dec 18.
Barnz’s O’Brien said that regional airlines would mitigate the impact of reduced supplies by loading extra fuel at destinations such as Australia. However, longer-haul airlines would need to consider refuelling stops or trading off cargo for more fuel, she noted.
“So while it’s possible, it’s not simple, and it’s not cheap.” REUTERS
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