Update

This article has been updated on Friday 12 May at 11:24.

GEORGE NEWS - Aviation gas (avgas) supplies at George Airport should normalise by tomorrow, according to Siganeko Magafela, head of security of supply at the South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia).

Magafela told George Herald this morning, 11 May, that avgas supply from Walvis Bay is expected to be dropped off in Cape Town today and it should be in George by tomorrow, Friday 12 May. 

The supply originates from Puma Energy in Walvis Bay and it is suspected that there was a delay in the placement of the order.

BP announced in March this year that it was withdrawing its aviation fuel supply services from South Africa, and according to news reports, PetroSA was stepping in to take over. BP is currently still supplying jet fuel and aviation gas to George Airport and it is uncertain when PetroSA will be stepping in as supplier.

George Herald reported yesterday, 10 May, that light aircraft owners at the general aviation section at George Airport were caught completely off guard when they were informed that avgas supplies have run out.

Upon enquiry, an operator at general aviation said AirBP informed them only on Tuesday night, 9 May. 

"There was not even enough time to fill our fuel bowser. I am very upset about this. It affects all the general aviation businesses in the area. It is totally unacceptable," he told the paper.

In reply to a query from George Herald, Suzan Zungu, communications and external affairs manager at BP Southern Africa said, “We are experiencing higher-than-normal demand at George airport and are working to ensure the airport receives the necessary supply to resume normal operations. Delivery is expected within the next few days.”

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