Kenya Airways flights disrupted as Wilson fuel shortage persists

Kenya Airways flights at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi were on Thursday disrupted temporarily as the fuel shortage at Wilson Airport spilled over into the regional transport hub.

A light aircraft from Wilson that largely serves charter and relief flights had been diverted to JKIA for refuelling when it developed mechanical problems and stalled on a runway that had been scheduled for several Kenya Airways afternoon flights.

Four flights were cancelled in quick succession as we went to press.

Failure to move the aircraft from the runway was expected to disrupt scheduled flights of other airlines that come to life between dusk and the wee hours.

The shortage of fuel at Wilson has been precipitated by a dispute between oil marketers and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) over a new layer of inspection that marketers say is unnecessary and will add more costs.

The dispute between the two is the subject of a discussion on Monday that will involve the senior government officials and energy sector regulators.

Fuel ran out at Wilson on Wednesday with operators not expecting new supplies until the dispute is resolved.

“The situation is out of control. We have come to a standstill,” said Mr Eutychus Waithaka, the chief executive of Kenya Association of Air Operators.

They have been forced to fly to JKIA to refuel, causing disruptions.

When the light aircraft stalled, take-off and landing was disrupted leading to delays and diversion to Moi International Airport in Mombasa.

Kenya Airways was the most affected airline as three of its regional flights —to Abidjan, Kigali and Dar es Salaam — were delayed and others diverted to Mombasa.

“These issues have to be addressed immediately as it has led to regional air transport being affected,” Mr Waithaka said.

Marketers have been barred from accessing oil products in Mombasa until they pay the recently introduced inspection charge, which they say is punitive.

The Kenya Revenue Authority has been collecting the fee since March 1 on behalf of Kebs.

The charge is 0.0675 per cent of cost, insurance and freight (CIF) on crude oil and imported refined fuel.

Held at ransom

Communication between the oil companies, KRA and Kebs failed to resolve the dispute that has moved to court.

Industrialisation permanent secretary John Lonyangapuo intervened by calling for the Monday meeting.

“We do not want Kenyans to be held at ransom by a dispute between oil importers and Kebs. I have said the process has to be stopped. I have written to the parties to come and sort out the matter once and for all,” the PS said earlier in the week.