Frankfurt Airport facing kerosene shortage: Reports

Frankfurt Airport is facing a kerosene shortage, forcing Lufthansa aircraft to carry additional fuel before arriving at the airport, according to German media reports and statements from the companies involved.

According to Lufthansa, one reason for the tight kerosene supply situation at Germany’s largest airport is reduced capacity in the pipeline connection.

Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport said routine maintenance is currently underway on a pipeline that also supplies the airport with jet fuel. However, no disruptions are expected from the maintenance, as alternative supply routes and sufficient fuel storage capacity are available.

“The airport’s operations will therefore not be affected,” Fraport said.

Meanwhile, daily Bild cited the low water level of the Rhine River as another possible factor affecting supply, as tankers can navigate the river only with limited cargo.

Lufthansa has responded to the situation by taking precautionary measures to maintain flight operations. These include having aircraft on select routes take on additional fuel before departing for Frankfurt.

The practice, known as “tankering,” is intended to reduce the need for additional refueling in Frankfurt. The report said short- and medium-haul routes are primarily affected, while long-haul flights are also increasingly being included.

According to Bild, guidelines for aircraft in the Airbus A320 family set an upper limit of eight metric tons of additional fuel. At the same time, flight planning should ensure that the added weight does not result in restrictions on the transport of passengers or cargo.

Lufthansa emphasized that the measures are intended to ensure reliable flight operations. They will remain in effect until further notice and be adjusted as the situation evolves, the report said.