New Zealand Pipeline Leak Causes Cancelations and Fuel Rations

Sept. 19, 2017

Airlines are canceling flights in New Zealand and adding stops for long-haul services after a pipeline bringing jet fuel to Auckland airport was closed due to a leak.

Air New Zealand estimated 2,000 customers a day will be affected by the disruption over the next few days as it has just 30 percent of normal fuel volumes available to it. The airline said Monday it has canceled 18 flights so far and further schedule changes will be necessary. Qantas Airways has canceled some flights within New Zealand and to Australia as it is also forced to ration fuel.

The disruption comes just days before New Zealanders vote in a Sept. 23 general election that polls show is too close to call. While motorists aren’t affected at this stage, the government has deployed a naval tanker to help with fuel distribution after opposition parties claimed there had been a failure to secure supply to the nation’s busiest airport.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-17/airlines-cancel-n-z-flights-ration-fuel-after-pipeline-leak