By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cape Town International airport faces jet fuel shortage due to the delayed South African Receiver of Revenue (Sars) audits, and risks flights disruption.
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) says the fuel industry has implemented an interim solution allowing affected airlines to uplift fuel from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, subject to prior arrangements.
This workaround should secure additional fuel supply from Wednesday, November 19 onwards for the four domestic airlines.
According to the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA), the reduced available jet fuel supply comes as a result of the continued detention of jet fuel stocks under SARS verification, preventing suppliers from uplifting product from Burgan Cape Terminals in the Port of Cape Town to the airport.
“The Association fully supports SARS mandate to uphold compliance,” said Avhapfani Tshifularo, CEO of FIASA. “However, the extended duration of this process has now created a real risk of fuel shortages that could disrupt flights, impact tourism and undermine the Western Cape economy during the peak travel season.”
The affected fuel import facility holds approximately 20 days of jet fuel, which acts as a critical buffer for national fuel security and air transport reliability.
As a result international airlines are considering cancelling their flights to the Mother City.
Meanwhile ACSA announced that some arrival roads at O.R. Tambo International Airport will be closed in preparation for the G20 Summit.
This forms part of the security measures and event requirements for the gathering. The closure will take effect on Tuesday, 18 November.
“Cargo road will be completely closed,” says ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe. “Access will only be available via Voortrekker Road up to the SAA cargo area.”
He added that, as arrival roads will be closed, vehicles will be allocated an alternative route for pick-up and drop-off at Parkade 2, North and South.
Thousands of international delegates, media representatives, and visitors are expected to gather at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg for the two-day summit scheduled to take place from 22 – 23 November 2025.