Fuel shortage at Melbourne Airport forces flight delays, diversions

A major fuel shortage at Melbourne Airport is causing flight delays and forcing some international flights to divert to make expensive fuel stops elsewhere.
The airport reportedly has less than 2 million litres of aviation fuel available after a recent shipment failed quality-control tests. 
International airlines were advised on Thursday night that the fuel supply status at Melbourne Airport had been changed to "black", meaning fuel would be rationed.
The situation is understood to be far more severe than the fuel shortages in January and October last year.
"Regrettably, the current jet fuel shortages are affecting international airline operations at Melbourne Airport," said Barry Abrams, executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia.
"Airlines are doing all that they can to minimise the impact of the shortages, but the main responsibility lies with the existing jet fuel suppliers."
Four international Jetstar flights departing from Melbourne Airport yesterday had to divert to either Sydney or Brisbane before making their way to their final destination to refuel.
The additional stopovers are expected to add an hour to people's travel times.
Meanwhile, Virgin is warning its customers some of its flights may be disrupted because of the fuel shortage.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and are working hard to have our guests on their way as quickly as possible," a spokeswoman said.
While no domestic Qantas flights have been affected, two international flights departing from Melbourne Airport - one destined for Hong Kong and another for Singapore - were today forced to stop over in Sydney to refuel.
Australia imports more than 40 per cent of its jet fuel. A decade ago, seven fuel refineries were operating in Australia, but that number fell to four last year following closures in Sydney and Brisbane.
Melbourne Airport has called on all fuel suppliers to "exert every possible effort" to meet their commitments to airlines flying from Tullamarine.
"Melbourne Airport will continue to work closely with all airlines to accommodate any changes in their operational plans," an airport spokeswoman said.

Story sourced from here

http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/major-fuel-shortage-at-melbourne-airport-could-force-flight-delays-diversions-20161125-gsxica.html