Nepal fuel crisis forces airlines to reduce passenger and cargo load

Airlines have doubled their fuel uplift on the Kathmandu sector due to restrictions on supply of aviation turbine fuel to foreign carriers in Nepal. As a consequence, they are forced to carry lesser number passengers and cargo per trip.

The restrictions came into effect from Tuesday. A notice was issued to all airlines “recommending” them to carry fuel for both ways while flying to Kathmandu. Foreign carriers have been requested to uplift minimum jet fuel from Nepal due to shortage.

Air India, Jet Airways and IndiGo operate flights to Kathmandu. Indian carriers have made no changes in their schedule to Kathmandu due to the fuel crisis. China Southern Airlines, which operates between Guangzhou and Kathmandu, has suspended flights to the sector till October 10.

“We will do double uplift for the Kathmandu flight. It will restrict the allowed payload in the flight,” an IndiGo spokesperson said. On Delhi-Kathmandu route, the airline’s fuel requirement is nine tonnes, while in the return sector it takes seven tonnes.

“Jet Airways flights from Delhi and Mumbai may have reduced passenger and cargo carrying capacity to cater to additional fuel uplift. We are constantly monitoring the situation and guests are being duly informed,” a Jet Airways spokesperson said.

Jet Airways operates double flights daily between Delhi and Kathmandu, and four times a week between Mumbai and Kathmandu. From October 15, it will fly daily from Mumbai.

Air India did not respond to an e-mail query seeking comment.

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) supplies petroleum products to Nepal Oil Corporation in tankers. Protests along the Indo-Nepal border has slowed down the movement of tankers to Nepal, an IOC spokesperson said.

The media in Nepal has accused the Indian government of economic blockade and see disruptions in fuel supplies as a part of the blockade. Local media reports also state that the Nepal government is contemplating import of jet fuel from China.

In August, IOC had signed a deal with Nepal Oil Corporation to lay a pipeline to transport petroleum products. The pipeline is being laid at cost of Rs 275 crore and would be complete in 30 months on receipt of all approvals.

FLIGHT PATH

• Air India, Jet Airways and IndiGo operate flights to Kathmandu
• Indian carriers have made no changes in their schedule to Kathmandu
• China Southern Airlines suspended flights till October 10

WHAT IS WRONG

• IOC supplies petroleum products to Nepal Oil Corporation in tankers
• Protests along the Indo-Nepal border has slowed down the movement of tankers
• Reports state Nepal is contemplating import of jet fuel from China