Status: 07/27/2021 3:54 p.m.
Because kerosene is running out at many US airports, US airlines are now encouraging their pilots to save fuel. Flights could also be canceled due to a lack of fuel.
In the USA, the significant increase in air traffic this summer has had unusual consequences: the supply of kerosene is so low at some airports that airlines are asking pilots to save fuel and even delays and connection failures seem possible. For example, pilots can save fuel by ascending continuously instead of in steps after take-off or by switching off an engine when coasting down after landing. In general, it saves kerosene if, for example, holding patterns before landing are avoided.
Supply problems for several weeks
American Airlines has urged its pilots to save as much fuel as possible. “Every gallon is helpful,” said manager John Dudley yesterday. Kerosene is currently in short supply in the USA – in addition, there is also a lack of tank trucks and drivers, explained Dudley. He reckons with supply problems until mid-August.
Kerosene is becoming scarce, especially at smaller airports in the west of the USA. In the state of Nevada, Governor Steve Sisolak had already warned of fuel shortages on Saturday. They could cause delays on passenger and cargo flights from Reno-Tahoe Airport.
Pipelines carry more gasoline and diesel
The airline Delta explained that the reason for the shortage was the low capacity in the pipelines: During the corona pandemic, less kerosene was needed and accordingly less was passed through – instead, more gasoline and diesel.
At the same time, there was also a lack of tanker trucks and even truck drivers for the tanker trucks in order to quickly ensure a sufficient supply of kerosene, reports the TV broadcaster CNBC. This has led to unusual measures: According to the spokesman for the pilots’ union at American Airlines to AFP, some machines have to fill up with more kerosene than before in order not to be stranded at a small airport without supplies. The higher weight may then even have to be compensated for by fewer passengers.
US vacationers stay domestically
The lack of supplies arose in the past few weeks due to a surge in domestic air traffic in the USA. This, in turn, is due to a sharp increase in vacation travel by Americans in their own country. Since many of them can only reach international destinations with Covid tests or vaccinated, more US citizens are now heading for domestic tourist destinations – especially on the west coast. The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana on the edge of Yellowstone National Park, for example, recorded a passenger increase of more than a third year-on-year in the past month.