Fuel Shortage at LHR will affect schedules

[NM]

It seems that the fuel shortage at London caused by the fire at Buncefield depot north of London, is going to have some affects on airline operations.

Currently QF and BA will operate LHR-STN-SIN/BKK and refuel at STN. That is going to add about 1 hour to the schedule for all QF and BA flights departing LHR heading to Australia. Passengers will remain onboard during refuelling at STN.

Rumour is that this may have to continue for up to 6 months.

This will also be affecting other long-haul operators out of LHR, but I have not heard where they will plan to refuel. Apparently LHR can only provide 65% of the allocated fuel requirements. Short-haul can probably tanker the fuel difference.

[Kiwi Flyer]

Fairly drastic rationing 40%, 64% or 85%.

AGA : Q)EGTT/QFULT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
FROM 05/12/13 18:33 TO 05/12/31 23:59 EST A2706/05
E)HEATHROW AIRPORT IS EXPERIENCING REDUCED DELIVERIES OF JET FUEL.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE CONTINUANCE OF OPS, THE ARRANGEMENTS AGREED IN THE
DRAFT HEATHROW FUEL CONTINGENCY PLAN (HFCP) WILL APPLY WIE.
THERE ARE SOME RESERVE STOCKS, BUT THESE NEED TO BE BEST USED IN
ORDER TO SAFEGUARD OPS.
ALL INBOUND ACFT WILL MAXIMISE TANKERING OPPORTUNITIES. IN ADDITION
TO TANKERING, FUEL RESTRICTIONS WILL ALSO APPLY.
USING THE HFCP, EACH CARRIER WILL, ON A DAILY BASIS, BE ALLOCATED A
PERCENTAGE OF THE PREVIOUS WEEKS TOTAL UPLIFT. THIS ALLOCATION CAN BE
USED AT AIRLINES DISCRETION.
ALL DEPARTING ACFT WILL RECIEVE FUEL, BUT ON A REDUCED BASIS -
(REFLECTING NORMAL CONTINGENCY PRACTICE WORLDWIDE). THE FOLLWING
RESTRICTIONS APPLY:
VISITING CARRIERS
FLTS UP TO 5 HR DURATION WILL RECIEVE 40 PER CENT OF NORMAL UPLIFT
FLTS OVER 5 HR DURATION WILL RECIEVE 64 PER CENT OF NORMAL UPLIFT
BASE CARRIERS
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATIONAL INTEGRITY OF THE AIRFIELD AND
ENSURE STAND AVAILABILITY THE 3 BASE CARRIERS WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
ALLOCATION:
FLTS UP TO 5 HR DURATION WILL RECIEVE 64 PER CENT OF NORMAL UPLIFT
FLTS OVER 5 HR DURATION WILL RECIEVE 85 PER CENT OF NORMAL UPLIFT
CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO LONG RANGE AIRLINES WHO NEED TO
ESTABLISH INTERIM OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS. AIRLINES IN THIS CATEGORY
SHOULD CONTACT THE AIRSIDE BUSINESS RECOVERY TEAM ON 0208 745 7582 TO
ESTABLISH AN AGREEMENT.
THE SITUATION WILL BE MONITORED DAILY AND AIRLINES PERFORMANCE
MEASURED, WITH NOTAM ISSUED AS REQUIRED.
FOR INFO, THE FOLLOWING WILL NOT BE AFFECTED:
- ACFT HAVING ALREADY DEPARTED THEIR LAST POINT INBOUND TO HEATHROW
ON 13 DEC 05
- LONG RANGE ACFT ALREADY ON THE GROUND AT HEATHROW ON 13 DEC 05
WE APPEAL TO ALL OPERATORS TO WORK WITH US TO MAINTAIN THE HEATHROW
OPERATION

[Lindsay Wilson]

Wow, I had no idea that the depot (which I think is near Luton airport), supplied LHR. Sure looked like a big fire from all the news reports. I just thought it would be LTN based carriers that were affected.

Not that I am that worried about EasyJet....