Australia's second busiest airport is running low on fuel, with fuel rationing currently in place with less than 2 million litres of fuel left in the reserves. Several international flights are re-routing via other Australian airports to re-fuel before continuing onto their international destination, airlines such as CX, EY, VA, JQ have already done so today with others to follow as the situation worsens. Imported jet fuel that arrived by sea was to blame for this incident as they failed to pass quality control.
Domestic flights aren't getting effected as much as they are tanking fuel from their origin.
I wonder what happens in this kind of situation in other parts of the world, and how they would handle it?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-25/f ... ay/8057456
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Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Most larger airports in Germany have rail access to their fuel depot. So large amounts of fuel can be brought from any refinery in Europe relatively quickly.
If there is no refinery in Australia capable of producing jet fuel or no way to bring it to the airport in large amounts quickly or bean counters cutting down reserve so low that just one failed delivery can cause disruptions, well then you have a whole set of different problems.
If there is no refinery in Australia capable of producing jet fuel or no way to bring it to the airport in large amounts quickly or bean counters cutting down reserve so low that just one failed delivery can cause disruptions, well then you have a whole set of different problems.
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- readytotaxi
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Happening now in Nigeria, flight cancelled.
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Something more to add: Is it known what kind of quality issue the imported fuel has? Depending on the issue there a different ways to bring substandard fuel to an acceptable quality level. You may filter it, extract water, blend with fuel from a different source (produced from a different kind of crude oil or with a different production process) or add additive agents (dope). This is daily business in refineries and storage facilities around the world. But it needs knowledge, time and some technology. When there is a will there is a way.
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
EK407 will go via PER tonight on its way to DXB. Unkown if QF will do the same although I assume it would unless they've got a different agreement worked out. Regional flights to Asia seem to be unaffected at the moment
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- skyhawkmatthew
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
QF29 wrote:Regional flights to Asia seem to be unaffected at the moment
CX is operating via CNS.
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
ei146 wrote:Most larger airports in Germany have rail access to their fuel depot. So large amounts of fuel can be brought from any refinery in Europe relatively quickly.
If there is no refinery in Australia capable of producing jet fuel or no way to bring it to the airport in large amounts quickly or bean counters cutting down reserve so low that just one failed delivery can cause disruptions, well then you have a whole set of different problems.
There are refineries in Australia that produce jet fuel. Two local ones have pipelines going directly to the airport. Their output is not enough to keep the traffic going. A shipment from overseas was substandard and Australia does not keep adequate reserves for all kinds of fuel, not just jet fuel.
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
QF29 wrote:EK407 will go via PER tonight on its way to DXB. Unkown if QF will do the same although I assume it would unless they've got a different agreement worked out. Regional flights to Asia seem to be unaffected at the moment
Looks like QR is also going to PER, just departed MEL and climbed straight to FL340 which it wouldn't do if going straight to DOH
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Also looks like both CA166 MEL-PEK and MU740 MEL-PVG are going to BNE for fuel
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
So, where was the contaminated shipment from? Do they source from only one refiner or export terminal in another country? are there more shipments enroute?
For example, Most majior airports in the US have either direct pipeline connections from a nearby refinery, or 2. Additionally they may have a pipleline connection from a terminal (Kinder-Morgan or others) that store Jet-A, Diesel and Gasoline from various refineries. As I recall, LAX for example, has direct pipeline connections to the Chevron El Segundo Refinery, the former Exxon Torrance (now PBF energy or such). I would suspect they also have access to fuel directly from both Valero & Tesoro refineries in the LA area as well.
I recall that ORD has direct connections to at least the BP, and Exxon Chicago area refineries , and I think the Marathon from downstate and even the Phillips outside St. Louis delivers a smal portion of Jet-A to ORD.
OTH, I think Most airports in Florida depend on fuel barged across the Gulf of Mexico from various refineries in the New Orleans area and Houston. There is a pipeline to Orlando from the terminal in Tampa. Just examples of here in the US
For example, Most majior airports in the US have either direct pipeline connections from a nearby refinery, or 2. Additionally they may have a pipleline connection from a terminal (Kinder-Morgan or others) that store Jet-A, Diesel and Gasoline from various refineries. As I recall, LAX for example, has direct pipeline connections to the Chevron El Segundo Refinery, the former Exxon Torrance (now PBF energy or such). I would suspect they also have access to fuel directly from both Valero & Tesoro refineries in the LA area as well.
I recall that ORD has direct connections to at least the BP, and Exxon Chicago area refineries , and I think the Marathon from downstate and even the Phillips outside St. Louis delivers a smal portion of Jet-A to ORD.
OTH, I think Most airports in Florida depend on fuel barged across the Gulf of Mexico from various refineries in the New Orleans area and Houston. There is a pipeline to Orlando from the terminal in Tampa. Just examples of here in the US
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- BestWestern
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
CX is going via ADL and CNS for the next two days with flights taking just under two hours longer to reach HKG.
This is going to cause chaos in the Gulf hubs as connections will be missed.
This is going to cause chaos in the Gulf hubs as connections will be missed.
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Be careful over there, I once saw a movie about Australians fighting over "guzzeline". It was mad!
On a more serious point, I've known of this to happen a few places across Europe. With so many nearby alternates, airlines can tanker inbound as much as possible. If they cannot take enough for round trip, then just make a short hop to a nearby airport. I believe that many of europes biggest airports are connected by pipelines.
On a more serious point, I've known of this to happen a few places across Europe. With so many nearby alternates, airlines can tanker inbound as much as possible. If they cannot take enough for round trip, then just make a short hop to a nearby airport. I believe that many of europes biggest airports are connected by pipelines.
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Looking at the flightaware flight plans that have been lodged. EK and QR are diverting to PER, however, EY has a flight plan for direct to AUH. Wonder what allows them to fuel for the full distance, but not the others? Are they paying more?
How is this being dealt with at MEL? Is it rationing among airlines, or just an increased fuel price, which hopefully leads to airlines deciding to ration themselves?
Edit: QF9 is also showing non-stop to DXB.
-CXfirst
How is this being dealt with at MEL? Is it rationing among airlines, or just an increased fuel price, which hopefully leads to airlines deciding to ration themselves?
Edit: QF9 is also showing non-stop to DXB.
-CXfirst
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
greg85 wrote:I believe that many of europes biggest airports are connected by pipelines.
They are. You might be interested in this - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_E ... ine_System
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
EK407 has just landed in PER, QR905 is on it's 2nd landing attempt after doing a missed approach and also EY462 AUH-MEL has also diverted to PER
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- readytotaxi
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Having read the article at ABC news it quotes a spokesperson from ExxonMobil as "All jet fuel is rigorously screened at multiple points in the supply chain to ensure product quality." So I guess it was okay when it left the refinery and not when it arrived suggesting that the ships tanks might be the souce of the problem. and then what happens now to this vast ammount of fuel that is not fit for use? Does it get burnt?
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
QR905 is on her way to the runway and EK407 is about to push back
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- Thenoflyzone
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
greg85 wrote:I believe that many of europes biggest airports are connected by pipelines.
Yes. AMS, BRU, LUX, CGN, ZRH, FRA are all connected. Over 50% of jet fuel volumes at these airports is provided by that pipeline. At some of these airports, it's closer to 90-100%.
http://www.nspa.nato.int/en/organizatio ... etwork.htm
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- usflyer msp
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
I was on QF93 MEL-LAX on 25Nov and we left about 20 minutes late because they had to steal fuel from another QF aircraft. I was not expecting such in "developed" airport like MEL...
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
This happens every few years at Melbourne, even the slightest issue and the capacity on airport is not sufficient - unfortunately MEL is aging in frastructure with decades of band aid solutions tacked on.
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
I have a few friends flying MEL - GCK (and on to HND) but they're heading straight out. Apparently the check in agent said that they may have had to stop over in DRW.
Seems like quite a diversion for a six hour flight.
Seems like quite a diversion for a six hour flight.
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
Ah Melbourne Airport - can't even provide basic infrastructure, let alone enough for redundancy in times of need (apparently half the storage capacity of that in Sydney). But that's ok folks because they're adding in a few more luxury shops. Few!
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
usflyer msp wrote:I was on QF93 MEL-LAX on 25Nov and we left about 20 minutes late because they had to steal fuel from another QF aircraft. I was not expecting such in "developed" airport like MEL...
20 minutes is nothing for QF93. It has to be one of the most commonly delayed departures from MEL, seems at least 3/4 times a week it goes out with a delay of at least an hour, often more. I haven't looked at the stats though so this is purely from my own observation. Anyone have stats for on time departures of QF93?
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Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
a320fan wrote:usflyer msp wrote:I was on QF93 MEL-LAX on 25Nov and we left about 20 minutes late because they had to steal fuel from another QF aircraft. I was not expecting such in "developed" airport like MEL...
20 minutes is nothing for QF93. It has to be one of the most commonly delayed departures from MEL, seems at least 3/4 times a week it goes out with a delay of at least an hour, often more. I haven't looked at the stats though so this is purely from my own observation. Anyone have stats for on time departures of QF93?
What's more relevant for LAX flights (QF,UA,VA and DL) is arrivals times, certain times of the year the flight times are very quick (compared to schedule) LAWA fine airlines for early arrivals as they are resourced according to the scheduled arrival time and the border process facilities and staff can't cope. TBIT is a mess at the best of times yet alone when airlines go off schedule. I'd say these delays are gate holds to prevent an early arrival into LAX. MEL doesn't fine airlines for delays so better to save fuel and money by waiting at the gate.
All domestic airlines are tankering fuel in, as they are over the Tasman. I'd imagine some Asian carriers could do this too- land on max landing weight. Very expensive but maybe cheaper than a diversion.
Re: Melbourne Airport (MEL) running low fuel
CA, CZ and MU all stopped in BNE again today within a few minutes of each other. TG supposed to drop in tonight...
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