If the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) cannot provide aviation fuel to meet the requirement, the private sector will be facilitated to import and for distribution purposes. It was revealed recently that the number of aircraft arriving and departing from Sri Lanka has decreased significantly due to difficulty in obtaining aviation fuel.
A special discussion on the urgent measures needed to overcome and stabilize the situation in aviation services was held on the initiative of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva with officials of the relevant institutions, was held at the Ministry Auditorium.
Local representatives of airlines, aviation services institutions and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) officials were present at the discussion.
The Minister at the discussion pointed out the importance of the supply of aviation fuel without any hindrance to all aircraft arriving and departing Sri Lanka.
He emphasized that Private Sector parties could be facilitated to import aviation fuel if the CPC faced difficulties in prioritising to meet the requirements.
Several Private Sector institutions representing the aviation services sector here, stated that importation and distribution of aviation fuel could be made possible on their own on the concurrence and facilitation from the Ministry of Power and Energy and the CPC.
Officials of the CPC stated that two crude oil vessels were expected in Colombo soon and accordingly, about 600 metric tons of aviation fuel on a daily basis could be provided through the Sapugaskanda Refinery to continue supply from August 20.
The Minister instructed CPC officials to prepare a systematic process on the airlines’ daily requirement for aviation fuel and the steps to be taken to supply the requirement based on a proper study on to the matter.
Airline representatives at the meeting, pointed out that the continued supply of aviation fuel was crucial for the sustainability of the industry also considering the increased number of flights which are scheduled to arrive at the BIA in the coming months with the arrival of tourist season in Sri Lanka.
Minister de Silva instructed CPC officials to promptly carry out the necessary measures taking into consideration the future requirements to facilitate and expand storage capacities in and outside the airport for aviation fuel.
