Windhoek – A jet fuel shortage at Namibia’s Hosea Kutako International Airport has forced Lufthansa-owned Discover Airlines to reroute some flights through Angola for refuelling, disrupting air travel and raising concerns about the country’s reliance on a single fuel supplier.
Business Insider Africa reported that the shortage had forced Discover Airlines to make operational changes to some of its flights between Windhoek and Europe, with aircraft stopping in Angola to refuel before continuing their journeys.
The airline operates flights between Windhoek and Frankfurt and Munich.
Reuters separately reported that Discover Airlines had warned that the fuel shortage could affect its operations from Namibia.
“Lufthansa Group does currently face a local and temporary shortage in fuel with its suppliers at Windhoek airport,” a Discover Airlines spokesperson told Reuters.
The shortage reportedly followed the arrival of an imported shipment of Jet A-1 fuel at Walvis Bay that failed quality tests and was subsequently quarantined.
Vivo Energy Namibia, which supplies fuel products in the country, said the affected shipment had been isolated before it could be distributed.
“Upon identification, the affected product was immediately quarantined and isolated,” the company said, according to Reuters.
Vivo Energy Namibia said it was investigating the cause of the quality failure and looking for alternative supplies.
The Namibia Airports Company said it was aware of the Jet A-1 supply challenges and was working with fuel suppliers, government authorities, airlines and other aviation stakeholders to minimise disruptions.
The shortage has also raised concerns about potential impacts on cargo operations. Reuters reported that Lufthansa had indicated that cargo shipments could be affected, although some information circulating about cargo restrictions could not be independently verified.
Single-supplier concerns
The disruption has renewed debate about Namibia’s reliance on a single-supplier model for aviation fuel.
Observer24 argued that the shortage should prompt the country to reconsider its approach to fuel supply at airports.
“Jet fuel is not an ordinary commodity. It is critical infrastructure for the aviation sector,” the publication said.
Observer24 warned that disruptions to jet fuel supplies could affect passenger travel, tourism, business connectivity and air cargo.
It argued that the current system may be efficient under normal conditions but vulnerable when supply problems emerge.
“A system can be efficient under normal circumstances and still be vulnerable during a crisis,” Observer24 said.
The publication also cited concerns from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia about the reliance on a single fuel provider at airports operated by the Namibia Airports Company.
It suggested that allowing multiple fuel suppliers at airports could create greater supply resilience and reduce the risk of disruptions.
For now, airlines, fuel suppliers and authorities are working to secure alternative supplies and minimise the impact on flights.
The incident has nevertheless exposed the vulnerability of Namibia’s aviation sector to disruptions in the jet fuel supply chain, particularly at its main international airport.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
