Cape Town International Airport is grappling with a potential jet-fuel shortage, triggered by an ongoing South African Revenue Service (SARS) audit.
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According to the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA), this audit has delayed the distribution of aviation fuel in the city, putting flight operations at risk, reports Travel News.
As a temporary fix, airlines have arranged to source fuel from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport starting from November 19, though this depends on advance planning and coordination with ACSA.
Lufthansa Group has already issued a travel advisory: due to uncertainty in Cape Town’s fuel situation, the airline (and its Edelweiss partner) may make last-minute scheduling changes to flights departing between November 19 and 24.
FIASA attributes the shortage to SARS holding up Jet A-1 fuel stocks at the Burgan Cape Terminals in Cape Town’s harbour. While they support SARS’s regulatory mandate, FIASA warns the delay has escalated into a serious risk, one that could affect tourism, Western Cape’s economy, and the reliability of air travel during the peak season.
The facility at the Cape terminal holds roughly 20 days’ worth of fuel, an important buffer for aviation operations. Although local refining has been boosted and efforts are underway to simplify import rules, FIASA says these measures aren’t enough to bridge the current gap.
The association is urging SARS, government bodies, and industry players to fast-track fuel release and verification, calling for immediate collaboration to restore stability, protect connectivity, and safeguard jobs in the Cape.
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