Maldives airport controls sale of jet fuel

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The Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) has controlled the sale of jet fuel due to high demand after neighbouring Sri Lanka’s airports stopped refuelling aircraft.

The Velana International Airport is struggling to cater to airlines as the daily sales volume has risen from 10,000 litres to 40,000 litres, MACL deputy managing director Ibrahim Thoha told the press on Tuesday (5 July). Most flights with return trips to Colombo are refueling in the Maldives, he said, posing a challenge for the airport operator.

But MACL assured that there will be no disruptions to flight operations due to controlled sale of Jet A-1 fuel. All flights will be able to refuel for departure but a limit has been imposed as some airlines have been buying large volumes, managing director Mahjoob Shujau said.

The shortage will be resolved after the arrival of new fuel shipments, he added.

Hussain Amru, managing director of the State Trading Organisation, which supplies jet fuel to MACL, assured constant supply. A buffer stock ensures that delays do not cause disruptions, he said.