A jet fuel shortage at Nassau International Airport is set to cause disruptions to tourism and airlifts to the Bahamas for the second time in six months.
Nassau International Airport is once again experiencing a shortage of fuel – forcing airlines to take on more in the United States, resulting in fewer passengers and cargo due to weight restrictions.
According to reports by airline officials in the Bahamas, all carriers were informed that there would be a three-week cut-back on fuel supplies at the airport until May 8 when a new shipment of fuel was expected.
An official from a major airline told The Tribune yesterday that an e-mail from their fuel supplier, Chevron/Texaco, indicated that only SO per cent of their usual monthly supply would be made available for the next 20 days.
“This is not the first time that a fuel crisis was seen at NIA: This seems to be a recurrent problem and the first time – that the airlines were alerted that a problem would be here for the next three weeks,” he said.
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, American Airlines general manager and president of the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) Ricky Dean said that his airline is coping with the situation by tapping into their Miami station for fuel.
“Of course this means a reduced load for us, less passengers, less baggage. Luckily for us we fly in here so frequently that if a passenger doesn’t make it on to one flight there is always the next one,” he said.
However, he said that this second interruption of fuel supply is “significantly hampering” business.
Mr Dean also said that he had not been informed of the reason why fuel is in short supply at NIA.
“The last time something similar happened was in December 2005. The fact is that this is something we hope to never happen again, that’s why we have to investigate this. We will be having a meeting to determine what the cause of this is so it will never happen again,” he said.
One airline official said he fears that these incidents of fuel shortage will impact negatively on the Bahamas’ tourism industry.
Theya re jeopardising tourism. The fact is at a time when major oil companies are making huge profits, it is a shame that they are holding tourism hostage in the Bahamas with a lack of fuel when there is no shortage anywhere else in the world,” an airline official said.
General Manager of the British Colonial Hilton Michael Hooper said that although he was aware of the December 2005 shortage, he had not yet heard about the latest situation.
However, he said that if reports of the current shortage are true, it would be a source of great concern for his hotel.
“We are always very concerned about anything that impedes traffic into the Bahamas. If this is true it could affect our tourism,” he said.
Ministry of Tourism officials could not be reached for comment yesterday, as The Tribune was told that all persons with the authority to speak on the issue were out of office due to an overseas trip.
Calls to Minister of Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin were also not returned.
By KARIN HERIG and PAUL G TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporters
