NATREF supplies nearly 80% of Jet Fuel to the O R Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.
Image: File
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has reassured stakeholders, airlines and the public regarding the stability and availability of Jet Fuel stock levels across its network of major airports.
This comes after an unplanned shutdown of a downstream unit at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF) refinery on Tuesday, August 25.
It said the shutdown was due to a steam boiler failure, which caused damage to certain key refinery units.
Sasol advised Transnet Pipelines (TPL) and the Fuel Industry of South Africa (FIASA) that the resultant repair and recommissioning programme is expected to impact refinery production and, in particular, Jet Fuel availability from approximately September 6 to October 4, 2026, subject to the successful completion of repairs.
The immediate area of concern is Jet Fuel security of supply to OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). Current Jet Fuel stock levels at ORTIA are approximately 6.3 days of supply, based on prevailing supply patterns incorporating both inland and coastal sources.
ACSA Group spokesperson, Ofentse Dijoe, said NATREF supplies 70% to 80% of ORTIA demand, with the remaining supply requirements being met via the Multi-Product Pipeline from the coast as well as dedicated rail deliveries.
“Cape Town International Airport's (CTIA) primary supply also remains secured through the Astron refinery, which accounts for 70% to 75% of stock, with the remaining 25% to 30% sourced via marine imports and stored at the Burgan terminal,” Dijoe said.
He said ACSA has instituted active stock-management protocols to maintain continuous operational stability across all airport fuel farms. I
“ACSA has also enforced rigorous governance controls across all nine airport locations to guarantee ongoing fuel security. This includes daily stock monitoring, maintaining a minimum baseline of five days’ stock at fuel farms, and holding aggregated daily stock records,” Dijoe said.
According to ACSA, at ORTIA, the current stock cover is maintained for five to six days, which can meet an average demand of 3,850 m3/day. While at CTIA, the current demand is approximately 1,400 m3/day, supported by stock levels of around four and a half days’ cover with daily replenishments in place.
CTIA’s stock levels are expected to build to approximately five and a half days’ cover following the return of the service of a fuel storage tank from normal planned maintenance on August 26, 2026.
“Across the rest of the network, Jet Fuel stock reserves remain robust. King Shaka International Airport maintains approximately 12 days’ cover of stock. Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, King Phalo, George, Bram Fischer, Kimberley, and Upington airports operate on 100% import-backed supply structures with daily replenishments in place. Stock levels are maintained at six days’ cover at a minimum,” Dijoe said.
He said should stock cover at any airport drop to three days, ACSA will trigger formal crisis management activities, which include intensifying tracking of replenishments with fuel operators and suppliers, direct engagement with impacted airlines, and activating the Fuel Forum run by ACSA.
“ACSA is working closely with all relevant stakeholders to manage the situation proactively and to ensure minimal impact on airport operations. Flight schedules across the ACSA network continue to operate as normal,” Dijoe said.
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