Colombian officials are scrambling to address jet fuel shortages that have disrupted flights in the country. Two major airlines announced they would suspend ticket sales and cancel flights due to the shortage. To alleviate the situation, Colombia’s national oil company, Ecopetrol, plans to import 100,000 barrels of jet fuel. Despite normal production levels being restored at refineries, a 10% increase in demand has made the country more reliant on fuel imports. President Gustavo Petro denied there were shortages, attributing the issue to logistical challenges.
In response to the crisis, the civil aviation authority has allowed airlines to cancel flights if fuel is unavailable. Avianca, the largest airline in Colombia, is offering customers the option to change reservations for affected flights free of charge. They also plan to load extra fuel on overseas flights to bring back to Colombia. Latam, the second largest airline, will cancel some flights to manage fuel inventories effectively.
This incident underscores the importance of better coordination in the fuel supply chain. Both airlines emphasize the need for clarity on fuel inventories and availability to prevent such disruptions in the future.