According to the Association, the continued detention of Jet A-1 fuel stocks under SARS verification has prevented suppliers from uplifting product from Burgan Cape Terminals at the Port of Cape Town. The resulting constraint has reduced available supply to CTIA and placed increasing pressure on contingency arrangements as the peak travel season approaches.

“The Association fully supports SARS’s mandate to uphold compliance,” says Avhapfani Tshifularo, Chief Executive of the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa. “However, the extended duration of this process has now created a real risk of fuel shortages that could disrupt flights, impact tourism, and undermine the Western Cape economy during the peak travel season.”

The affected import facility holds approximately 20 days of Jet A-1 stock, forming a critical national buffer for aviation fuel security and the reliability of air transport. While domestic production has been increased and alternative import options assessed, these measures cannot fully offset the current limitations on uplift.

“The aviation sector depends on predictable and continuous fuel supply. We therefore urge SARS and all relevant stakeholders to expedite the necessary verifications and authorise the release of detained Jet A-1 fuel without further delay,” Tshifularo adds.

The Association emphasises that even a short-term disruption at CTIA could have far-reaching consequences for airlines, airport operations, and tourism. “This is a solvable problem,” Tshifularo notes. “We call for urgent cooperation between SARS, industry, and government to restore stability, safeguard South Africa’s international connectivity, and protect jobs and growth in the Western Cape.”