Flights canceled
Air Niugini warns of flight disruptions over shortage of fuel
Monday, March 21, 2005
The National
SHORTAGE of aviation fuel has forced Air Niugini to announce there will be domestic flight disruptions today with uncertainty over when normal fuel supplies would resume. In a press statement released yesterday, Air Niugini said it had been advised by the petroleum retailing giants, Shell and Mobil, at 12.40pm yesterday of a shortage of aviation fuel.
“The company therefore wishes to advise the travelling public that there will be domestic flight disruptions experienced today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday),” the statement read. Yesterday, Air Niugini cancelled seven of its scheduled flights because of the problem. An official said they only managed a Dash 8 flight to Popondetta.
The official said the situation might not improve today. “Unfortunately, we are unable to advise the duration of the fuel shortage, as it is a matter completely out of our control,” the airline said in its statement.
In a separate statement, Shell said its normal jet fuelling operations have been halted at Jacksons Airport until further notice.
“This is due to an inability to confirm the quality of the current shipment of fuel transferred to Shell’s Port Moresby Terminal at Idubada,” Shell said.
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Could this be a Canary in the coal mine indicator of future jet fuel shortages worldwide?