Western US airports face jet fuel shortage

Jet fuel shortages have started to hit states like California and Nevada, threatening flight delays and cargo deliveries, The Associated Press reported.

The shortages are increased by demands from firefighting and commercial aircraft as well as issues in the supply chain, leading to flights being disrupted at airports around the Pacific Northwest, the AP reported.

At Fresno Yosemite International Airport, fewer jet fuel deliveries from tanker truck drivers led to shortages, ultimately affecting flights in and out of the airport, the wire service noted. At Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, flight delays and departure problems ensued because firefighting aircraft and commercial airlines had an increased demand for jet fuel. 

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D), along with Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) issued a joint letter on Saturday regarding potential jet fuel shortages that could affect flights and cargo delivery at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

“Governor Sisolak, Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Rosen and Congressman Amodei have been working together to triage the situation to avoid and minimize disruption for passengers and ensure critical operations, including the delivery of essential goods into the State,” the four said in their letter.

“We are currently speaking to all responsible parties to understand how this situation occurred and prevent future shortages, but our immediate focus is on ensuring resources to combat western wildfires are not impacted and that there is as little disruption as possible for Nevadans and visitors who depend on reliable air service,” they later added.

A spokeswoman for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority told the AP that the jet fuel shortage stemmed from several issues including runway construction and a small number of available tanker truck drivers.

To mitigate potential fuel shortages, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) have signed executive orders that would relax certain restrictions on fuel deliveries.

In Wyoming, Gordon is temporarily allowing drivers to stay on the road longer hours to meet the demand for fuel, but stipulated that drivers could not stay on the road if they were tired. Noem’s executive order also extends the hours for fuel delivery in South Dakota.