Lufthansa is operating empty Boeing 747-8 jumbo jets on long-haul fuel runs due to an ongoing jet fuel shortage at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, according to a report from PYOK.com. The German carrier is flying these aircraft more than 2,000 kilometers to Windhoek, Namibia, where they refuel before returning to Johannesburg to pick up passengers for their onward journey to Frankfurt.
The fuel shortage stems from a January 4 fire at a major petroleum refinery in South Africa, which disrupted nationwide production of Jet A Kerosene. While airport officials claim they have enough fuel to maintain operations until February 2, airlines have been advised to prepare contingency plans. Some carriers have already reported restricted access to fuel.
To mitigate the impact, the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has recommended that airlines explore fuel tankering—carrying enough fuel from an alternate airport to minimize refueling in Johannesburg. While this strategy is common for shorter flights, Lufthansa’s 8,500 km route from Frankfurt to Johannesburg requires more fuel than the aircraft can carry for a full round trip.
Initially, Lufthansa attempted a workaround by diverting flights to Durban for refueling before heading back to Frankfurt. However, this solution extended flight times by over two hours, causing missed connections and aircraft delays. To resolve the issue, Lufthansa now uses its Boeing 747-8 aircraft’s daytime ground time in Johannesburg for a fuel run to Windhoek. The aircraft returns fully refueled, allowing passengers to board for a non-stop journey back to Frankfurt.
ACSA acknowledged Lufthansa’s approach, stating that airlines have the right to take measures they deem necessary, including fuel tankering, to maintain operational stability. The airport operator reassured stakeholders that efforts are ongoing to secure consistent fuel availability at OR Tambo.
This situation highlights the growing challenges of jet fuel supply chain disruptions, which have affected several major airports in recent years. Similar shortages were reported at San Diego Airport in January 2023 due to a damaged fuel pipeline, prompting British Airways to tanker fuel from London. Later that year, Heathrow Airport faced a fuel shortage of its own, urging airlines to conserve supply by bringing additional fuel on inbound flights.
As Lufthansa continues its unconventional refueling strategy, the industry watches closely to see how long the situation at Johannesburg persists and what further measures airlines may take to navigate fuel shortages in the future.
