Jet fuel shortages at Auckland Airport continue to cause disruption to international flights, with rationing expected to continue until Sunday December 18, 2022. The next scheduled shipment of jet fuel arrived at Marsden Point earlier this week but was not expected to be available for customers until December 18.
Post the contamination of a recent shipment, the airline’s normal jet fuel allocation has been cut to 75%. Earlier this week, an American Airlines flight diverted its flights to Dallas via Christchurch for a refuelling stop before heading to the US. After American Airlines, Emirates too will be changing its schedule for a refuelling stop. Passengers on an Emirates flight to Dubai due to depart Auckland on Thursday, December 15, 2022 evening were told they would be stopping in Sydney to refuel on the way.
“Due to a fuel shortage in Auckland, your upcoming flight EK449 on 15th Dec will now stop in Sydney to refuel. You will remain on-board the aircraft during this time and no visa is required for applicable passport holders,” the airline said.
Emirates recently resumed its non-stop flights between Auckland and Dubai from December 1, 2022, making it one of the longest commercial flights in the world, and the longest route on the Emirates network.
Besides, Cathay Pacific also had to make an extra stop on its flight from Auckland to Hong Kong. An airline spokesperson said on Monday that it would be making a technical stop at Brisbane for refuelling as fuel rationing was imposed out of Auckland Airport.
“We will continue to operate three flights per week between Auckland and Hong Kong as scheduled. We will work closely with local authorities and continue to monitor the situation,” Cathay Pacific said.
Airlines were hoping to avoid cancellations and cause minimal disruption to their schedules as they tried to find solutions to the jet fuel rationing.