A temporary supply constraint of Jet A-1 fuel at Cape Town International Airport has disrupted the operations of multiple airlines due to administrative issues faced by a fuel supplier in dealing with South African Revenue Service (SARS). According to Airports Company South Africa, some airlines have shifted to refueling at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport. Lufthansa has notified passengers that it may need to add refueling stops in Johannesburg and Windhoek International; however, all Lufthansa flights from Cape Town are operating nonstop to Frankfurt International and Munich. The Fuels Industry Association clarified that the supply problem stems from unclear customs registration regulations for independent storage operators, not a fuel shortage. They emphasized that regulatory gaps threaten infrastructure, investments, and supply reliability, and called for urgent action from SARS.
The situation has implications for airline schedules and operations at the affected airports. The airline industry and authorities are seeking to resolve these regulatory issues to prevent further disruptions and assure the stability of fuel supplies in the region.
