Flight rerouted due to fuel shortage

An easyJet flight from Bari to London-Gatwick made an unexpected refueling stop at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle on Thursday, October 22, due to a fuel supply disruption in southern Italy. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 1:35 PM, took off at 3:40 PM after adjusting for the stop in Paris.

Cause of the disruption

The fuel shortage at Bari was not caused by an airport closure or aircraft malfunction, but by a disruption in the logistics chain. According to Rai News, the supplier easyJet uses in Bari had its fuel-loaded tankers immobilized in Campania due to the mobilization of road transport workers, who were expected to deliver fuel from Naples.

Other suppliers unaffected

The fuel shortage at Bari did not affect all suppliers at the airport. Rai News reported that other fuel suppliers at Bari and nearby Brindisi were not impacted by the issue that forced easyJet to reroute its flight. The airport had already issued a NOTAM, or aviation information notice, on Wednesday, October 21, warning of possible fuel availability limitations.

Wider fuel crisis in southern Italy

The situation in Bari is part of a broader fuel supply crisis affecting several airports in southern Italy. Corriere della Sera reported that at least seven airports, including Naples, Salerno, Palermo, and Crotone, had issued NOTAMs about fuel restrictions. The severity of the restrictions varied, with some airports reporting limited availability and others, like Crotone and Reggio di Calabria, noting a complete absence of Jet A-1 fuel.

Airlines adapting to the crisis

To reduce reliance on local fuel supplies, airlines are being encouraged to carry more fuel from their previous airport, a practice known as "fuel tankering." This allows them to meet the needs of their next flight without refueling on-site. At Salerno, carriers have been advised to arrive with enough fuel to ensure they can depart without additional refueling. Wizz Air has also confirmed that fuel shortages are affecting its operations in Italy and is exploring alternative solutions.