Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
By Nkosana Khumalo
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced a comprehensive plan to resolve the jet fuel supply crisis at OR Tambo International Airport, following disruptions caused by a fire at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF) on 4 January 2025.
The fuel supply chain disruption had led to major flight delays and cancellations, sparking concern among airlines and passengers. However, Creecy has confirmed that significant progress has been made to stabilize operations at South Africa’s busiest airport.
The Jet Fuel Crisis: What Happened?
✔ On 4 January 2025, a fire broke out at NATREF, disrupting jet fuel production and supply.
✔ OR Tambo International Airport requires 3.6 million litres of jet fuel daily, meaning any supply disruption can severely impact air travel.
✔ The fuel shortage led to flight delays, cancellations, and concerns over operational continuity.
✔ Airlines had to implement fuel rationing, limiting flight schedules and prompting government intervention.
Minister Creecy’s Response: Securing Fuel Supplies
To address the crisis, Minister Creecy led high-level engagements with:
✔ Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
✔ The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA)
✔ Sasol and other major fuel industry stakeholders
Logistics Plan to Ensure Fuel Stability
✔ A logistics plan was adopted to transport additional jet fuel to OR Tambo International Airport.
✔ This plan prioritizes rapid fuel delivery from alternative sources until NATREF resumes operations.
✔ The plan involves securing fuel imports and boosting local production capacity.
Current Jet Fuel Reserves at OR Tambo
✔ As of 1 February 2025, OR Tambo had 20.1 million litres of jet fuel in stock.
✔ An additional 59 million litres have been injected into the fuel pipeline, scheduled to arrive at the airport by 6 February 2025.
✔ This additional volume is expected to allow the lifting of flight fuel restrictions, restoring near-normal operations.
✔ Furthermore, another 71.5 million litres of jet fuel is en route, arriving via fuel tankers and pipeline imports from Durban.
✔ The total available jet fuel stock for February is projected at 150.6 million litres, ensuring uninterrupted airport operations.
Impact on Airlines and Flight Operations
✔ The fuel supply improvement is expected to gradually remove restrictions imposed on airlines.
✔ Some flight schedules had been limited due to rationing, but with new supplies, airlines will soon resume normal refueling operations.
✔ No further flight cancellations are expected, as fuel constraints ease in the coming days.
Airline operators have welcomed the government’s intervention, with many expressing relief that the crisis has been addressed swiftly.
Future Measures to Prevent Jet Fuel Shortages
✔ Minister Creecy has called for a review of South Africa’s aviation fuel supply chain to prevent future disruptions.
✔ The Department of Transport will work with the fuels industry to improve contingency planning.
✔ Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) will strengthen its fuel storage and distribution network to avoid reliance on single-source refineries.
✔ There will also be a stronger monitoring system in place to alert authorities to supply disruptions before they escalate into crises.
Minister Creecy’s Statement and Commendations
Minister Creecy commended all stakeholders for their swift response and collaboration, saying:
✔ “The proactive efforts of Sasol, ACSA, and the Fuels Industry Association ensured that we stabilized the fuel supply at OR Tambo International Airport quickly.”
✔ “We are confident that with the additional fuel arriving in the coming days, we will see operations return to full capacity.”
✔ She also acknowledged the frustration of passengers and airlines, reaffirming her department’s commitment to preventing similar crises in the future.
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