Airline fuel allocations at Auckland Airport are moving from 30% to 50% from today and Air New Zealand is expecting to operate its regular schedule today with no fuel related cancellations
Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins say progress on the fuel pipeline repair, and using New Zealand Defence Force tankers to carry Jet fuel from Marsden Point to Auckland means that the disruption will continue to ease.
“The 20 drivers transporting Jet fuel to Auckland Airport will carry between 500,000 and 700,000 litres in a 24 hour period. Which is significant when airlines are drawing approximately 1million litres per day,” says Collins.
The HMNZS Endeavour departed from Devonport to sail to Marsden Point, where it will be loaded up with diesel fuel for delivery to ports in New Zealand.
“I’ve heard from Auckland Airport the number of expected cancellations has dropped to 14 today, which is eight international and six domestic flights. It is a significant reduction in the 36 flights cancelled yesterday. I expect disruption will continue to reduce,” she says.
“Refining NZ says repairs to the damaged section of the pipe are going well, with one of the four welds completed, and I believe they remain on track for the restoration of the pipeline between Sunday 24 September and Tuesday 26 September,” says Collins.
