Truckers’ strike threatens to revive aviation fuel crisis

In a letter sent to its customers, the fuel distributor Terpel He reported on new problems that are arising with respect to the supply of airports in Colombia.

The company said that the replenishment of inventories of Jet A1 aviation fuel is being interrupted in some of the most important cities.. The situation is being presented by the transport strike, which arose as a protest against the increase in the price of a gallon of ACPMannounced by the Government at the end of August.

(You can read: Airlines activate special services in response to transport strike).

The affected cities, and their airports, are Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cúcuta and Bucaramanga.

“This suspension of product transportation has caused the pace of Jet A1 inventory replenishment held by Terpel Organization SA (Terpel) at the Rafael Núñez (CTG), Simón Bolívar (SMR), Camilo Daza (CUC) and Palonegro (BGA) airports to decrease.“, the distributor said.

(We recommend: Concern over egg, chicken and rice supplies due to truckers’ strike).

He explained that he has activated a contingency plan to maintain his service and added that he hopes to continue the operation, “maintaining sufficient inventory until the situation normalizes“.

However, he clarified that if a quick solution to the strike is not found, “We will face a possible shortage, totally unrelated, irresistible and unpredictable for Terpel.“.

Truckers’ Strike

Javier Alvarez/CEET

The company suggested to the airports of Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cucuta and Bucaramanga the rationalization of Jet A1 fuel”to the maximum“.

(Further: The strike continues: Government and transporters have not reached an agreement on the increase in diesel prices).

“With the other airports in the country where Terpel has a presence, we will continue to monitor the situation and, if any changes occur, you will be informed immediately.“.

The truckers’ strike began on Sunday, September 1. The transporters are against the increase of $1,904 that was made to the ACPM, the first of three increases that are planned to mitigate the deficit to Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (Fepc).

Truckers’ Strike

Private file

The government’s goal is to increase diesel by $6,000 in total, to reach $15,000, and have a price per gallon closer to that in the region. The other two increases would take place in 2025.

Until now, The strike has caused shortages of food and medicine, cancellations of classes and widespread losses of products such as milk..

PORTFOLIO