How You Can Plan for Fuel Shortages

Experts share insight on what to expect and how you can try to minimize its effects.

Michael Wildes

Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 08:58 AM ET

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[File photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The aviation industry is facing widespread fuel supply chain disruptions, low inventories, and significant price volatility across the U.S., with experts predicting continued increases in crude oil prices.
To mitigate these challenges, operators are strongly advised to pre-plan flights, tanker fuel when necessary, and utilize fuel card programs for valuable market insights and availability updates.
Businesses are increasingly exploring hedging strategies to protect against future price hikes, while local supply disruptions, often due to logistical issues, underscore the importance of detailed planning.

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As global reports of disruptions in the fuel supply chain continue to emerge, FLYING recently spoke with representatives from Avfuel, a global supplier of aviation fuel with more than 3,000 locations in nearly 150 countries. With a clientele of more than 5,500 flight departments, it’s tied to the fuel issues as closely as anyone.

“The entire industry is feeling the impact of low fuel inventories,” Muneeb Ahmed, director of trading and logistics for Avfuel, told FLYING. Ahmed said his company had been doing what it could to procure enough fuel from its suppliers and minimize disruption for customers. To achieve that, though, comes at a cost.