UPDATE: Airlines resume refueling at OR Tambo Airport
Aircraft refueling at OR Tambo International Airport has resumed following Monday’s operational disruption caused by a faulty valve.
Airlines at OR Tambo International Airport have resumed refueling their aircraft after operations were disrupted earlier on Monday due to a faulty valve, which led to some flight delays.
The fuel system at South Africa’s busiest airport is now fully operational, the facility said in a post on X.
This comes after Airports Company South Africa flagged “refueling challenges” earlier in the day.
A broken valve, rather than a lack of fuel, caused the problem, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) Regional General Manager Jabulani Khambule said in an interview with broadcaster 702.
Authorities grounded some aircraft because they couldn’t refuel, he confirmed.
SAA pilot strike
The earlier news was the second round of bad news for state-owned carrier SAA in particular in a matter of days.
Late last week SAA pilots went on strike.
However, that was called off after an agreement was reached.
The South African Airways Pilots Association on 7 December ended a three-day strike that caused the state-owned carrier to cancel about 60% of its flights.
SAA has since resumed its normal schedule.