Airlines
U.S. Airlines Wrestle with Fuel Shortages
An unexpectedly rapid rise in travel demand and western U.S. wildfires contribute to a shortage of fuel at mainly smaller airports.
A shortage of space in pipelines and fuel tanker trucks has contributed to low Jet-A inventories at some airports in the western U.S. (Photo: Air bp)
A shortage of space in pipelines and fuel tanker trucks has contributed to low Jet-A inventories at some airports in the western U.S. (Photo: Air bp)

U.S. airlines are struggling to accommodate surging demand for air travel as a lack of available pipeline space for jet fuel and a shortage of fuel trucks and drivers have led to low fuel inventories at some airports, primarily smaller ones in the western part of the country. According to trade group Airlines for America (A4A), proactive measures by members include carrying extra fuel uploaded at unaffected origin airports on flights to supplement the fuel supply at destination airports suffering from a shortage. “We have been and continue to be in communication with federal authorities and pipeline operators to address this jet fuel capacity issue,” A4A said in a statement.