Airlines fear delays over Heathrow fuel rationing
By Doug Cameron in Chicago and Kevin Done in London
Published: February 3 2006 00:04 | Last updated: February 3 2006 00:04
US airlines have warned that passengers could face substantial delays and disruption because of fuel shortages at London’s Heathrow airport and a rationing system that favours domestic carriers, notably British Airways.
Fuel supplies at Heathrow, the world’s busiest international airport, were cut by a third following an explosion on December 11 at a UK oil depot, forcing airlines to ferry in supplies by air from as far away as the US.
The American Transportation Association on Thursday warned that the rationing could spread to London’s Gatwick airport, while the US government has expressed its concern to the UK authorities and called for a speedy resolution.
“It’s a competitive issue,” said John Byerly, deputy assistant secretary for transportation affairs at the US Department of State. “People have muddled through for weeks, but this can’t go on. We’ve been asking the UK to get this fixed.”
James May, the ATA’s president, said non-UK carriers were spending an extra $1m a day to fly fuel to London, while services were being disrupted as carriers made stops at other European airports to pick up supplies.
He warned the situation could deteriorate as the travel season picked up and carriers opted to cancel flights rather than pay the extra fuel costs.
US officials and airlines have called on the BAA, which operates both London airports, to amend a contingency plan that gives UK carriers 82 per cent of their usual fuel allocation, while long-haul foreign-based airlines receive 70 per cent.
“We just think that’s wrong,” said Mr Byerly, who said long-haul airlines should receive greater priority, a policy promoted by the International Air Transport Association.
Mr May said the concerns of United Airlines and American – which fly into Heathrow – have been echoed by other airlines including South African Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.
“Unfortunately this is another example of the British tilting the playing field in the favour of their airlines,” said Mike Whitaker, vice-president alliances, international and regulatory affairs at United.
Mr May claimed BA had been “intransigent” towards implementing the IATA scheme, and said the policy at Heathrow deviated from established practice during shortages in other regions.
BAA said last night that the fuel rationing system at Heathrow had been agreed voluntarily by the airlines about one month before the explosions at the Buncefield depot, north-west of London. “The airport is open and functioning normally despite having lost 30 per cent of its fuel source. No flight has been cancelled because of the fuel shortage,” said a spokesperson.
The ATA dismissed the claim. “None of the US airlines – and we believe the other non-UK carriers – have agreed to this voluntary programme,” said Mr May.
Airline and airport officials were unable to suggest when the shortages might end.
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