The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa has warned of a potential jet fuel supply shortage that could disrupt operations at OR Tambo, King Shaka and other airports.
The association said in an October 10 press release that the supply of aviation kerosene was facing a severe threat due to regulatory delays in the licensing of import storage facilities by SARS.
The issue comes after the closure of the Engen and Sapref refineries in KwaZulu-Natal, when, during 2023, SARS insisted that affected parties license their facilities in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act.
The Act requires the import of aviation kerosene into dedicated storage facilities to be subject to stringent licensing conditions.
In the interim, SARS granted temporary, time-bound licensing for the importation of aviation kerosene. The affected parties set about applying for the permanent licensing of their facilities, which was completed in February of this year. Another time-bound licensing arrangement had to be provided, which is set to expire later in October.
