Critical fuel shortages hinder flight increase plans amid tourism surge in Japan

ANKARA

Critical fuel shortages for commercial flights at airports across Japan have hampered the increase in the number of international flights and adding new routes, local media reported on Saturday.

A spike in the demand for flights because of increasing inbound tourism has outpaced the supply capacity of petroleum refiners, with the issue further compounded by labor shortages in the distribution phase, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News, citing unnamed government and industry sources.

The development has prompted government ministries to consider countermeasures as the problem may dampen efforts to revitalize regional economies through international tourism ahead of the peak summer holiday season.

The Hiroshima prefectural government in western Japan said a foreign airline had to revise plans to increase Asia flights to and from the Hiroshima airport because of insufficient fuel supply, while another is encountering challenges in securing fuel for summer and beyond.

The New Chitose, Asahikawa and Obihiro airports in Hokkaido have been similarly affected by fuel shortages as they planned to increase flights.

The National Governors' Association is considering requesting that the central government take action as airports in parts of the Kansai, Shikoku and Kyushu regions also face difficulties in increasing the number of flights, according to local government sources familiar with the matter.

In Japan, petroleum wholesalers contractually supply passenger aircraft with fuel refined from crude oil. They cannot suddenly increase production as they have been consolidating facilities in anticipation of a medium- to long-term decline in demand for petroleum products.

There is also the option of selling imported fuel as a temporary measure. But they face the risk of not being profitable that way.

There has also been a shortage of drivers and airport workers involved in the process of transporting fuel from refineries to airports and pumping it into aircraft.

The New Chitose, Asahikawa and Obihiro airports in Hokkaido have been similarly affected by fuel shortages as they planned to increase flights.

There is also the option of selling imported fuel as a temporary measure. But they face the risk of not being profitable that way.

There has also been a shortage of drivers and airport workers involved in the process of transporting fuel from refineries to airports and pumping it into aircraft.