Transport strike – Faro airport running out of aviation fuel

A transport strike affecting the delivery of fuel supplies to the nation’s filling stations also has affected Faro airport where supplies already are down to emergency levels.

The strike by drivers of dangerous materials, including aviation fuels, began at midnight on Monday, April 15, and the region’s filling stations soon witnessed a rise in consumption coupled with zero deliveries with social media picking up on stations without fuel.

The region’s motorists have been rushing to fill up and, with no immediate end to the strike envisaged, fuel will run out quickly due the higher demand.

According to a government statement, “the ongoing strike affects the supply of fuel to airports, firefighters and ports, as well as fuel supplies to public transport companies and gas stations.”

The strike was called by the National Union of Dangerous Goods Drivers (SNMMP) and is timed to hit the Easter break.

The Council of Ministers approved a civil requisition on Tuesday morning, which will remain in force until May 15th. This is, ‘in order to ensure the fulfillment of unmet needs in the distribution of fuels after it has been established that on 15 April, minimum services were not ensured’.

Airports operator, ANA, will start to have problems shortly as fuel supplies will run out and advises airline operators to fill up outside Portugal until the civil requisition takes effect and supplies are resumed.