Skift Take
Airports insist there’s enough fuel, but mile-long lines at gas stations tell a different story and airlines are taking precautions to make sure their customers and employees don’t add to the backlog.
Fears of a jet fuel shortage at New York’s airports have led some airlines to take the unusual — and costly — step of putting extra fuel on inbound planes.
The worries follow Superstorm Sandy, which has disrupted Northeast fuel supplies and power.
US Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Republic Airlines are among the carriers loading up with extra fuel to allow their planes to fly out again.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airports, says despite the airlines’ actions, there is “an adequate supply.” It refused to elaborate.
Other airlines, including American Airlines and Spirit Airlines, have chosen not to add extra fuel to inbound flights.
New York’s three major airports were closed for several days following Sandy. All had re-opened by Thursday morning.
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Tags: jfk, lga, natural disasters, nyc, sandy
Photo credit: An aerial view of the LaGuardia airport in New York October 31, 2012. Adrees Latif / Reuters