International and domestic plane passengers stuck in Auckland as rationing is brought in and airlines are told to refill abroadNew Zealand has been hit by a severe shortage of jet fuel, with thousands of domestic and international passengers stranded after a digger struck an airport supply pipe in Auckland, the country’s biggest city. Jet fuel is being rationed in Auckland after the farm digger struck the sole supply pipe on Thursday, reducing jet fuel supplies to 30% of normal capacity. Energy minister Judith Collins said the military could be called on to assist with fuel transportation overland if needed. A 2012 report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said a major disruption to the Auckland jet fuel supply could cost New Zealand NZ$400-500m in lost export and tourism dollars, and truck drivers might need to be brought in from Australia to assist with overland transportation. “The government has known for years that there were risks to the security of supply of fuel into Auckland, and particularly jet fuel to Auckland airport.

Source: The Guardian September 18, 2017 01:11 UTC