AIRPORT--Sol Aviation blamed the depletion of jet fuel on Saturday, February 18, on "the two supply tankers destined for St. Maarten losing time on their respective voyages and there being no room for a variation in calculated demand once jet fuel supplies are placed under pressure."
David Antrobus of Sol Aviation explained that the first tanker arrived on Saturday and immediately commenced discharging jet fuel. "The jet fuel discharged was sent for recertification via chartered aircraft to the West Indies Oil facility in Antigua and, based on the test results, the fuel was released for use at the airport early Sunday morning. Fuelling operations resumed at the airport on Sunday morning," he said, adding that the second tanker was expected to arrive at 6:00am on Monday, February 20.
Antrobus said "subject to the approval of the local regulatory authorities," Sol will start construction of a 25,000-barrel storage tank at its Cole Bay terminal and this measure will lead to a substantial increase in the on-island jet fuel storage capacity. "Once constructed and commissioned, this additional tank will go a long way in meeting the increased fuel demand at the airport," he said.
"Sol would like to take this opportunity to thank the aviation community and the local airport authority for their understanding and assistance rendered during this difficult period and pledges to continue to do all within its power to ensure that adequate fuel supplies are maintained at the airport," he concluded.
PJIA which has had problems in the past with the non-availability of jet fuel – including as recently as during the recent busy Christmas season - was thrown into chaos again on Saturday, February 18, when jet fuel ran out, grounding private and commercial aircraft and forcing others to fly to nearby destinations to tank-up.
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