Jet Fuel Shortage Resolved in Colombia, Flights Returning to Normal

August 27, 2024 TruthUSA

BOGOTA, Colombia—The Colombian airlines Avianca and Latam Colombia announced late Monday that they will be operating most of their flights on Tuesday and resuming full schedules on Wednesday. They had previously warned of potential flight cancellations due to jet fuel shortages.

Avianca confirmed that the main supplier of jet fuel in the nation had lifted restrictions on fuel distribution, allowing airlines to resume ticket sales for all routes and maintain their planned flights.

Latam Colombia stated that normal operations would resume on Wednesday, with passengers affected by Tuesday’s cancellations being accommodated on alternate flights on the same day. Earlier on Monday, Latam had announced the cancellation of 36 flights due to fuel shortages.

These announcements by Avianca and Latam marked the end of a turbulent day for Colombia’s aviation industry, affecting hundreds of passengers stranded and others struggling to rebook their flights.

Following a power outage on August 16 that disrupted local jet fuel production in Cartagena, Colombia’s national oil company, Ecopetrol, imported 100,000 barrels of jet fuel to ensure adequate supply for domestic airlines. In response, local fuel supplier Terpel notified airlines of impending fuel cuts at airports due to the disruption.

Ecopetrol President Ricardo Roa announced on Monday that jet fuel production had been restored, criticizing fuel distributors for failing to import sufficient fuel to meet demand.

President Gustavo Petro stated on X account that there was no fuel shortage in the country, but rather an “irregular situation” under investigation. Transportation Minister María Constanza García mentioned that while there is enough jet fuel in the country, airports are currently facing logistical challenges.

The civil aviation authority initially issued an ordinance on Sunday allowing airlines to cancel flights from August 28 to September 4 if fuel was unavailable. However, late on Monday, the agency rescinded the ordinance as there was now adequate jet fuel supply to operate all scheduled flights.

Avianca CEO Federico Pedreira expressed surprise and satisfaction in a statement on Monday night, noting the normalization of jet fuel supplies. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among supply chain members to ensure clarity on fuel inventories and availability.

By Manuel Rueda

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