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Manchester airport to run out of fuel Manchester airport to run out of fuel
(40 minutes later)
Manchester airport is facing a fuelling crisis which means that by 6pm on Wednesday it will temporarily run out of aviation fuel. Flights to and from the airport are expected to be delayed, particularly those leaving for long-haul destinations.Manchester airport is facing a fuelling crisis which means that by 6pm on Wednesday it will temporarily run out of aviation fuel. Flights to and from the airport are expected to be delayed, particularly those leaving for long-haul destinations.
It is the first time that the airport – the UK's third busiest in terms of passenger numbers – has run out of fuel in its long history.It is the first time that the airport – the UK's third busiest in terms of passenger numbers – has run out of fuel in its long history.
It could lead to delays and mass cancellations of flights if aircraft are unable to refuel during a busy period that coincides with school holidays. Long-haul flights are likely to be worst affected as they do not have the capacity to carry extra fuel.It could lead to delays and mass cancellations of flights if aircraft are unable to refuel during a busy period that coincides with school holidays. Long-haul flights are likely to be worst affected as they do not have the capacity to carry extra fuel.
The problem arose after jet fuel supplies from the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, were disrupted as a result of quality concerns. The refinery, run by Essar Energy, has a pipeline to Manchester airport that is capable of pumping 250,000 litres of aviation fuel an hour.The problem arose after jet fuel supplies from the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, were disrupted as a result of quality concerns. The refinery, run by Essar Energy, has a pipeline to Manchester airport that is capable of pumping 250,000 litres of aviation fuel an hour.
The airport hopes the problem will be resolved by midnight on Wednesday but the knock-on effect on services will continue until tomorrow as it takes eight hours to pump a day's supply of fuel. There are 150 flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Manchester in the 12-hour period from 6pm. The airport hopes the problem will be resolved by midnight on Wednesday but the knock-on effect on services will continue until Thursday, as it takes eight hours to pump a day's supply of fuel. There are 150 flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Manchester in the 12-hour period from 6pm on Wednesday.
Emergency contingency meetings have been taking place at Manchester airport and airlines are being urged to carry more fuel than usual so they can complete the second leg of their journey without refuelling. Emergency meetings have been taking place at the airport and airlines are being urged to carry more fuel than usual so they can complete the second leg of their journey without refuelling.
Manchester airport uses 3m litres of fuel a day. A standard tanker can only carry 38,000 litres. The airport had looked at alternative sources of fuel, but was unable to identify one. It would require 79 trucks to provide enough fuel for 24 hours' supply.Manchester airport uses 3m litres of fuel a day. A standard tanker can only carry 38,000 litres. The airport had looked at alternative sources of fuel, but was unable to identify one. It would require 79 trucks to provide enough fuel for 24 hours' supply.
A spokesperson for the airport said on Wednesday: "Today the airline fuel supply companies operating at Manchester airport are experiencing temporary problems with their supply of aviation fuel from Essar refinery. Whilst a stock of aviation fuel is stored on site, as a precaution, airlines have been advised to carry additional fuel wherever possible. A spokesperson for the airport said: "The airline fuel supply companies operating at Manchester airport are experiencing temporary problems with their supply of aviation fuel from Essar refinery. Whilst a stock of aviation fuel is stored on site, as a precaution, airlines have been advised to carry additional fuel wherever possible.
"Although this is a short-term problem, until it is resolved, airlines might not be able to refuel aircraft at Manchester airport, which is why contingency plans have been put in place.""Although this is a short-term problem, until it is resolved, airlines might not be able to refuel aircraft at Manchester airport, which is why contingency plans have been put in place."
The spokesperson said experts from the fuel companies, the airport and airlines were working hard to resolve the issue and minimise any impact.The spokesperson said experts from the fuel companies, the airport and airlines were working hard to resolve the issue and minimise any impact.
"Whilst we do not expect this to cause widespread disruption, it is possible that some airlines may decide to cancel, divert or delay a small number of flights from 6pm tonight into tomorrow morning. We would advise all passengers travelling this evening and tomorrow morning to check their flight status with the airline before coming to the airport." "Whilst we do not expect this to cause widespread disruption, it is possible that some airlines may decide to cancel, divert or delay a small number of flights from 6pm tonight [Wednesday] into tomorrow morning. We would advise all passengers travelling this evening and tomorrow morning to check their flight status with the airline before coming to the airport."
The airport apologised for any disruption and assured its customers that "everything possible is being done to return operations to normal".The airport apologised for any disruption and assured its customers that "everything possible is being done to return operations to normal".
In April 2008, the airport warned that fuel supplies were running low because of a similar issue, but it was rectified before flights were affected.In April 2008, the airport warned that fuel supplies were running low because of a similar issue, but it was rectified before flights were affected.
Manchester airport said further updates would be issued when more information was available.Manchester airport said further updates would be issued when more information was available.