Fuel Shortage Threatens Airline Operations
Passion Air announced potential flight disruptions across all routes due to an anticipated aviation fuel (Jet A-1) shortage at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from July 23 to July 27, 2025, following a Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on July 22. The airline urged passengers to contact its customer service at 0800 221 221 for updates.
The shortage stems from supply issues within the Joint User Hydrant Installation (JUHI) system at KIA, with TotalEnergies and Shell suspending refuelling services indefinitely, affecting ad-hoc and scheduled flights. Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) advised airlines to coordinate refuelling with providers to minimize delays, per GhanaWeb. The crisis could impact KIA’s 3.4 million annual passengers, according to Wikipedia.
Social media posts on X, including from @TheHighStreetJ, highlighted cancellations and public frustration, with some alleging KIA’s temporary shutdown. Passion Air, operating from Terminal 2, refuted earlier May 31, 2025, claims of a mid-air return due to fuel issues, clarifying it was a technical fault. The airline emphasized safety compliance.
The fuel crisis, linked to Ghana’s reliance on imported petroleum, echoes past disruptions like the 2022 Cape Town shortage. GACL and GCAA are working with suppliers to mitigate impacts, but no resolution timeline was provided. Passengers face potential delays as airlines like Africa World Airlines may also be affected.