Auckland fuel crisis

[MarkR]

Been a bit of info scattered across the threads but thought it deserved a thread of its own. If you are not aware, Auckland has had its fuel pipeline ruptured and as a result there has been a significant impact on ops. Air NZ have been routing aircraft via Australian ports where they can for refuelling either enroute or in the case of trans Tasman, upgrading the operating aircraft to wide body long haul. Upgraded services have A320 loads with empty J and Y+ cabins. Presumably they are filling tanks then returning to Auckland with minimal refuelling needs to operate an onward long haul segment.

https://www.airnewzealand.com.au/travel-alerts#2PuIjuFruk6G6vA7Qy5p

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas uses 747 to deliver extra fuel to Auckland

Qantas has ferried extra fuel from Sydney to Auckland on a Boeing 747-400 as part of efforts to minimise disruption due to fuel shortages at the airport.

Airlines have been battling restricted fuel supplies at Auckland Airport since Sunday, after a pipeline which connects a refinery to the Wiri Oil Services facility near the airport was damaged, resulting in supply being reduced to only 30 per cent of normal usage.

On Wednesday, Qantas Boeing 747-400ER VH-OEG, operating as QF6011, took off from Sydney just before 2000 and landed at Auckland about two hours and 20 minutes later.

Once on the ground, ground staff transferred some 65,000kg of fuel to Qantas and Jetstar aircraft due to operate the following day.

Qantas said the fuel was transferred either directly to aircraft using special hoses, or first to a fuel truck before delivery to other aircraft.

“The preference is for the aircraft to be parked side by side to ensure the fuel transfer is completed as quickly as possible,” a Qantas spokesperson said via email.

“By tankering in fuel from Australia, as well as other measures, Qantas and Jetstar have been able to minimise the impact of the Auckland fuel shortage on customers.”

Full Story

http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/09/qantas-uses-747-to-deliver-extra-fuel-to-auckland/

[MarkR]

Pipeline fixed but fuel won’t start flowing for 24 hours. VA are routing some AKL flights via CHC.