Additional aviation fuel storage tanks are to be constructed to ensure adequate supply of aviation fuel at all times, Simon Allotey Acting Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has said.
This will soon be put on competitive tender he said.
Mr. Allotey said in relation to shortage of aviation fuel at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as a result of which some airlines notably Delta and Emirates had cancelled their flights.
He said that the GCAA is concerned about the shortage of aviation fuel experienced from time to time as it tends to disrupt flight operations and also inconveniences passengers as well as increase operational cost of airlines.
A letter from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) dated August to the operation’s manager of Joint User Hydrant Installation (JUHI) at the airport said, "we wish to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, the refinery will not be able to supply Jet AI (Aviation fuel) until further notice."
The JUHI is jointly owned by Shell and Total companies.
On September 3, a letter from the fuel depot copied to the civil aviation said the TOR AI fuel deliveries to the KIA since Friday, August 3.
The letter advised airlines to make alternative refueling arrangements since TOR could not guarantee supplies at the KIA.
This is the second time this year that KIA has been hit by aviation fuel.
On Tuesday, January 23, the local aviation industry reportedly suffered an acute shortage but this was reversed two days later when TOR discharged fuel for the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for supply to airlines which had been experiencing shortage.
The disruption was said to have been caused then by the inability of TOR to carry out its normal supply obligations due to "technical difficulties".
