Colombian airlines have been forced to cancel flights to numerous domestic destinations as four major airports have run out of A1 jet fuel. Airports in Leticia, Cúcuta, Pasto, and Valledupar are currently unable to supply carriers, reflecting a broader crisis that threatens to severely disrupt air travel across the country. Additionally, nine other airports are reportedly facing diminishing fuel supplies, with Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport, the nation’s largest and most vital hub, nearing a critical shortage.
The shortage traces back to an August 16 failure at the Cartagena Refinery, operated by state-owned Ecopetrol, which disrupted fuel deliveries. The refinery experienced an electrical failure that shut down its processing units, resulting in an 8% reduction in the country’s aviation fuel supply.
Latam Colombia, a leading airline, issued a public warning on August 25, highlighting that several airports were dangerously low on jet fuel. The most severe shortages were reported at the airports in Leticia, Montería, and Bucaramanga, where distributors informed the airline that Jet A1 fuel supplies were depleted.
“The situation at Bogotá’s El Dorado airport is becoming increasingly precarious, with fuel levels dropping to critical levels,” Latam stated, raising concerns within the aviation industry about the potential severe impact on air travel in Colombia.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also voiced its concerns, sending a letter to Colombia’s Ministries of Transport and Mines and Energy. The letter emphasized that despite airlines’ efforts to ration fuel and maintain services, the ongoing shortage could soon render normal operations impossible. The global aviation authority strongly urged the Ministry to allow the importation of Jet A fuel given the exceptional sitation. IATA, which represents around 330 airlines, announced that Colombian carriers were canceling flights due to the A1 shortage, stressing that “without aviation fuel, it is naturally impossible for us to operate.”
The shortages have already caused immediate disruptions, particularly in areas where fuel supplies have been exhausted. Airports in Cúcuta, Leticia, Pasto, and Valledupar ceased operations on August 25, following announcements from their fuel suppliers. On Monday, the country’s largest carrier – Avianca – cancelled more than 26 flights, including many on its Bogotá-Medellin route, and Latam was equally forced to scrap 36 domestic flights.
In Cartagena, a key city and tourist destination, the fuel distributor WFS halted supplies to at least one airline on August 23. Meanwhile, critical fuel level alerts have been issued for airports in Bogotá, Medellín, Pereira, and Manizales, where major suppliers Terpel and Chevron are struggling to maintain adequate inventories.
Barranquilla’s Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport is also on high alert, with some airlines anticipating fuel supply suspensions beginning August 26. The smaller Santa Marta airport could be impacted as early as Monday.
Ecopetrol Responds
Ecopetrol confirmed the refinery incident and its impact on fuel supplies, reporting that the electrical failure on August 16 caused a complete shutdown of the refinery’s processing units. However, the company emphasized that a contingency plan was quickly implemented to restore operations.
“The incident did not result in any injuries or damage to the refinery’s infrastructure,” Ecopetrol stated, adding that the event does not affect the normal fuel supply to the Caribbean coast or the rest of the country.
Despite these reassurances, fuel distributor Terpel acknowledged difficulties in supplying Jet A1 fuel and announced an 8% reduction in deliveries for August. Ecopetrol insisted that there are no major supply issues and that efforts are underway to restore full production at the Cartagena Refinery. As an additional measure, the company announced the importation of 100,000 barrels of Jet A1 fuel to support operations during the contingency. The import of Jet A could result in higher ticket prices for domestic travel.
This ongoing fuel crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in Colombia’s aviation infrastructure, particularly its reliance on the Cartagena Refinery for jet fuel. The sudden disruption has not only caused immediate logistical challenges but also raised concerns about the long-term stability of the country’s fuel supply chain.
As the situation unfolds, the Colombian government faces mounting pressure to stabilize the situation and prevent further disruptions to the nation’s air travel network.
