An Airbus A380 requires 300,000 liter of fuel for a long hall flight. Currently 2 million liters of aviation aviation fuel is available at the country’s second busiest airport after a shipment of imported fuel failed quality controls following its arrival by ship in Melbourne.
A major fuel shortage at Melbourne Airport sparked by a substandard shipment of imported aviation fuel has forced some international flights to divert and re-fuel and could cause flight delays later today.
The fuel crisis is believed to be far more severe than two fuel shortages last year that forced airlines to ration fuel when flying and has raised serious questions about the reliability of Australia’s fuel supply system.
A decade ago seven fuel refineries operated in Australia, but that number fell to four last year following several closures in Sydney and Brisbane.
Two refineries still operate in Victoria and provide much of Melbourne Airport’s requirements, but imports from Asia are needed to meet extra demand.
Ms D’Ambrosio said Sydney Airport’s fuel storage capacity is more than double that of Melbourne Airport.
The shortages also mean domestic flights operating into Melbourne will need to carry more fuel than normal to prevent Melbourne Airport’s supplies being exhausted.
A spokesperson for ExxonMobil, which manages the airport’s fuel supply on behalf of all fuel providers, said today’s problems were the result of disruptions to jet fuel deliveries at multiple terminals in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for Qantas said the fuel shortage was not impacting its domestic services and its flights to Hong Kong and Singapore would stop in Sydney to refuel. Virgin Australia said the fuel supply issues may cause some flights to be disrupted.
A spokesperson for Melbourne Airport said in a statement the airport was working closely with airlines to manage the shortage.
Melbourne Airport recommends travellers contact their airline for the most up-to-date information about flights today.
