Cabinet nod for private companies to supply aviation fuel

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Cabinet of Ministers had approved a proposal by the Minister of ports, shipping and aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva to allow private companies to supply Jet A-1 aviation fuel to airplanes that arrive in Sri Lanka, Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday.

Gunawardena said that Jet A-1 aviation fuel Is currently supplied by the state-owned Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

However, last year the operations at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, where Jet A-1 fuel is produced, had been disrupted due to the foreign exchange shortages, Gunawardena Added.

Importing Jet A-1 fuel was also a challenge for CPC, Gunawardena said.

The minister said that during recent months the number of aircraft arriving in Sri Lanka had gone up due to an increase in tourist arrivals.

Gunawardena said Sri Lanka needed to ensure that there was a continuous supply of Jet A-1 fuel for the cargo and passenger flights arriving at the airport to prevent any inconvenience to tourists.

Minister de Silva has said in 2022, Sri Lanka was unable to provide adequate jet fuel for flights and this led to cancellations and a significant decrease in flight operations and several airlines including the national carrier were compelled to refuel at several airports in South India.