The jet fuel supply to OR Tambo International Airport JNB has been restored following the resumption of operations at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa Natref refinery, confirmed Sasol and the South African Petroleum Industry Association SAPIA.
Sasol, the main shareholder of Natref, told Travel News that repairs had been completed and the refinery was back online. The refinery had been temporarily shut down after a fire on January 4 damaged its Crude Distillation Unit.
No issues have been reported by the Natref partners, said SAPIA representative, Siganeko Magafela . The fuel supply to OR Tambo has been fully restored and the NOTAM has been lifted, so the airport is back to normal operations.
During a meeting on February 26 between the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Acsa regarding the fuel supply issue, committee Chairperson, Donald Selamolela , confirmed that Acsas briefing had addressed all concerns.
They Acsa are already rolling out infrastructure to resolve challenges around fuel availability, especially related to the broken fuel jet valve andshortage resulting from the Natref fire. The committee noted and appreciated plans for refurbishment of the fuel farm at OR Tambo International Airport which will go a long way in resolving issues of security of fuel supply in the medium term, said Selamolela.