By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Mali has stopped dispensing aviation fuel to commercial airlines in the capital Bamako, as the nation experiences shortage.
Malian authorities are now directing them to source from neighbouring countries.
This, according to the Ministry of Transportation, will last till next week.
“There are a lot of flight operations these days and that has affected the fuel stock,” Ould Mamouni, a ministry spokesman, said on Tuesday night.
He added, “This is to announce to companies that given the limited fuel stock, they will not be able to refuel in Bamako; they can consider obtaining supplies in neighbouring countries before coming to Mali.”
The Director General of the West African country’s National Civil Aviation Agency had in a letter asked the representative of regional air traffic control agency in Mali, the ASECNA, to notify airlines of the measure, which would last from July 9 until July 15.
“I invite you to take the necessary steps to issue a notice to air users on the unavailability of Jet A1 fuel at President Modibo Keita-Senou International Airport,” he wrote.
Airlines to be affected may include, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines which offer service in Bamako.
Heritage Times HT gathered that this may not be unconnected with the ongoing maintenance of fuel storage tanks.
Arising from this development, airlines like Sky Mali have been forced to limit flights, while seeking alternative solutions to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Kangala Air Express has unfortunately cancelled all flights altogether, local media reports.
Frustrated passengers have been forced to reschedule or cancel trips entirely, causing personal and professional disruptions.
It is expected that by mid July, the maintenance works would be completed and normal flight operations resume.
