{
  "id": 3936918,
  "title": "ACSA says airports have jet fuel stocks despite refinery disruption",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/acsa-says-airports-have-jet-fuel-stocks-despite-refinery-disruption",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T10:08:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-28-acsa-says-airports-have-jet-fuel-stocks-despite-refinery-disruption/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The airports across South Africa, as managed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), are well-stocked with jet fuel, according to a recent reassurance from the organization. This assurance was issued following an unexpected shutdown at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF) refinery on August 25 due to a steam boiler failure, which resulted in damage to some refinery units. The repair and recommissioning process is expected to disrupt refinery production, affecting Jet Fuel availability at airports from September 6 to October 4, 2026.\n\nThe primary concern is the security of Jet Fuel supply to OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). Currently, ORTIA has approximately six days' worth of Jet Fuel supply, which is considered sufficient based on typical supply patterns that include both inland and coastal sources. The company's spokesperson, Ofentse Dijoe, explained that NATREF provides 70% to 80% of ORTIA's Jet Fuel demand, with the rest being met through the Multi-Product Pipeline from the coast and direct rail deliveries.\n\nSimilarly, Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) is also secured in its Jet Fuel supply, with 70% to 75% of its stock coming from the Astron refinery. The remaining supply is sourced via marine imports stored at the Burgan terminal. ACSA has implemented strict stock-management protocols to ensure continuous operational stability across all airport fuel farms. This includes daily monitoring of stock levels, maintaining a minimum baseline of five days' supply at each fuel farm, and keeping daily records.\n\nAt ORTIA, the current Jet Fuel stock cover is sufficient for five to six days, meeting an average daily demand of 3,850 m3. At CTIA, the demand is around 1,400 m3 per day, supported by four and a half days' worth of stock with daily replenishments. The rest of the network, including airports such as King Shaka International Airport, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, and several others, also have robust Jet Fuel reserves, with minimum stock levels maintained at six days.\n\nShould the stock cover at any airport drop to three days, ACSA will activate formal crisis management measures. These measures would include tracking replenishments with fuel operators and suppliers, direct communication with impacted airlines, and engaging the Fuel Forum overseen by ACSA. Despite these disruptions, flight schedules across the ACSA network are expected to continue operating normally.",
  "summary": "ACSA says flights are operating normally and fuel stocks are being closely managed after an unplanned NATREF refinery shutdown affected jet fuel supply to OR Tambo International Airport.",
  "key_points": [
    "Airports in South Africa have sufficient jet fuel stocks.",
    "NATREF refinery shutdown affects fuel supply from Sep 6 to Oct 4, 2026.",
    "ACSA implements strict stock-management protocols."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}