Shortage of fuel hurts air travel

Operations at Kenya’s busiest airport were disrupted by a shortage of fuel at the weekend.

Some passengers, including tourists, were stranded at Wilson Airport after airlines said they had no fuel.

Airline operators on Sunday said they were confused when Shell and Total, which supply fuel to the airport, said they had to wait for another 12 hours for the commodity to be delivered from Mombasa.

They said they incurred huge losses after flights were rescheduled to later dates.

To be rescued

The Kenya Association of Air Operators chief executive, Colonel (rtd) Eutycus Waithaka, said more than 400 planes failed to take off on Saturday since none had enough fuel.

Mr Waithaka told the Daily Nation that a plane that was scheduled for a rescue mission in North Eastern Province on Saturday failed to take off due to the fuel crisis.

“We don’t know what happened to the patient who was to be rescued,” he said.

Shell delivered only 30,000 litres on Saturday evening, which was almost running out, he added.