Australia flag carrier Qantas has been forced to scrap some Japan flights due to acute jet fuel shortages at regional airports.
To meet the growing winter sports market to Japan from Australia, Qantas had planned to start flights to New Chitose Airport, Sapporo.
The airline will now ditch the weekly route amid the jet fuel squeeze.
The Japanese fuel industry has consolidated due to Japan’s declining population but is unable to quickly ramp up production as air travel demand soars.
It will affect 14 flights to New Chitose.
The problem is also impacted by a shortage of regional fuel transport workers.
Other airlines are also being impacted.
South Korea’s Korean Air and T’way Air are scrapping summer routes to Asahikawa Airport and Obihiro Airport in Hokkaido.
The jet fuel squeeze is also impacting other regional airports.
“We’re struggling just to keep up with increased demand from All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines,” said oil distributor source.
“It’s hard for us to take sudden orders from international carriers.”
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism this week held a first public-private meeting discussing jet fuel shortages.
Source TravelMole
