Several factors can effect on the availability of fuel and supplies at a certain airport. Prior to any international trip it’s highly recommended that operators receive confirmation that fuel will be available at each destination.
1. Lack of fuel availability
Some locations are dependent on barges for their fuel deliveries and can experience shortages due to delayed shipments or fueling equipment failure. Advance planning is recommended if you are considering unfamiliar or remote locations in other countries. Your fuel provider should be in constant contact with their suppliers around the world on a daily basis and should be able to provide you with updated information at any location you may be operating to.
2. Fuel shortages
There are airports that have issues ensuring a constant and sufficient supply of fuel. Many smaller locations in Africa that run out of fuel from time to time due to lack of modern infrastructure, pipelines, etc. NOTAMs mostly will be issued in case of fuel shortage.
3. Weather, political situation and fuel availability considerations:
Significant weather events have the potential to knock out, or restrict, fuel supply at certain locations for a period of time. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tsunamis all have potential to cause havoc with fuel availability. Also political circumstances and conflicts have effects on fuel availability.
4. Fuel delivery to the airport
Aviation fuel is delivered to airports and terminals in a variety of ways. It may arrive by truck, barge, rail car, or pipeline; and, in rare cases, fuel may be flown in to a particular location. For this reason, depending on the location and method of fuel delivery, fuel costs, and lead time for fuel arrangements differ.
5. Delivery into the aircraft
Fuel trucks are the most common fuel delivery method at international locations. While single point pressure fueling is usually the norm, this is not always the case. At more remote airports in Africa, for example, you may need to fuel over-wing, and this adds time to the refueling process. A lack of single point fueling can be a concern, particularly for charter operators.
6. Sources of supply
You want to be sure you’re using an established provider that’s able to supply fuel in sufficient quantity, quality, and on a consistent basis. It’s also important, particularly for more remote airports, that the local fuel storage environment is adequate and up-to-date. When ordering fuel for delivery into your storage facility, make sure that the trucking company utilizes dedicated trailers that only haul jet fuel.
Sonic Jet with its global network of contracted fuel suppliers, makes easier for you to arrange for your refueling requirements at any time. Please feel free to contact our 24/7 fuel dispatch center for any inquiry : fuel@sonicjet.aero