Flight cancellations in Colombia: What caused the crisis and what do the parties involved say?

• The airlines that were most affected were Latam and Avianca, as they suspended and rescheduled their flights until August 27 | Main photo: EFE

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its subsidiary in Colombia have expressed concern over the fuel shortages on airlines, which has caused a crisis in the sector and the cancellation of dozens of flights.

IATA sent a statement to Maria Constanza Garcia, Colombia’s Minister of Transport, highlighting the suspension of dozens of flights from August 23 to 27 due to a lack of gasoline.

“If there are fuel redistribution measures that can be taken and that can change the situation, they should be taken in such a way that flights can be operated and operators are informed in a timely manner,” the document reads.

The Minister of Transport, for her part, assured at a press conference on August 25 that until Sunday there had been no cancellations associated with fuel shortages and, on the contrary, she affirmed that some airlines decided not to sell tickets as a precaution.

IATA also expressed concern about the possible importation of fuel and how this could increase the price of airline tickets in Colombia.

In response, Colombian authorities said that the fuel shortage was caused by technical failures at the Reficar refinery in Cartagena (Colombia), which began on August 16, 2024.

For his part, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has repeatedly insisted on social media since August 25 that there is no shortage of jet fuel.

“There is no shortage of jet fuel. What exists is an irregular activity that is already under investigation,” he wrote on his X account on August 25.

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Airlines affected by fuel shortage

Among the airlines most affected are Latam and Avianca. Both companies took measures after learning of the fuel shortage.

On August 26, Latam announced the cancellation of 36 flights scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, while Avianca warned of possible changes to its flights and the closure of the purchase of new tickets due to restrictions on Jet A1 aviation fuel at some airports in Colombia, despite the government’s assurances that supplies are guaranteed.

“As a result of the restrictions on the supply of Jet A1 aviation fuel at some airports, Latam Airlines Colombia will cancel 36 flights on Tuesday, August 27, with the aim of optimizing the inventories that fuel distributors have declared to us until the end of the month,” the airline said in a statement.

On the weekend of August 23, Latam warned of a fuel crisis for airplanes, which would have left the airports of Leticia, Montería and Bucaramanga without supplies, while in Bogotá “fuel is being reduced to critical levels.”

Latam confirmed on Monday afternoon that it already has supplies to cover the remainder of August, as reported by the distributor, and that it is working with state-owned Ecopetrol regarding the forecast of fuel delivery.

Santiago Álvarez, executive director of Latam Airlines Colombia, reported that they will readjust operations to avoid massive impacts on passengers and other users.

For its part, Avianca announced “itinerary adjustments,” meaning that some passengers will be re-accommodated “based on availability,” and it also opened reservations to changes without penalty for flights scheduled between August 25 and September 4.

On the other hand, the Colombian airline has closed the sale of new tickets to “have re-accommodation options for passengers or due to fuel loading restrictions at certain airports.”

Photo: Courtesy

Colombia guaranteed fuel supply

The alert for a possible shortage of jet fuel was given due to the electrical failure that affected the Cartagena de Indias Refinery (Reficar) on August 16 and that, according to the Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol, will generate a deficit in deliveries of aviation fuel in the country of 5%.

However, the Colombian government has assured that the supply is guaranteed and that the contingency caused by the electrical failure at Reficar is under control.

On August 26, at a press conference at the Casa de Nariño, the Executive’s headquarters, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, assured that the country has “aviation fuel” and that it has “a guarantee of supply.”

“Now we are reviewing the supply chains and the marketing companies to verify the entire logistics line, which will allow all supplies in the country to be covered,” he concluded.

With information from EFE

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