According to French media, aviation fuel supplies in the French West Indies departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique, in the Caribbean, are beginning to return to normal. Increased air traffic and logistical problems caused by the war in Ukraine affected the normal supply in recent weeks.
A fuel shortage alert was issued for both islands at the end of March. On April 16th, the prefecture of Guadeloupe confirmed that the situation affected fuel reserve management, but assured that the difficulties were «temporary».
In this context, the Société Anonyme de Raffinerie des Antilles (Antilles Refinery Corporation) began to draw on its fuel reserves to sustain operations. The refinery, which receives crude oil by sea, produces the fuel reserves needed by Guadeloupe. According to airport authorities, crews were advised to «carry extra fuel on departure». However, the difficulties also extended to other islands, connected by air services.
Both Guadeloupe’s Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) and Martinique’s Aimé Césair International Airport (FDF) offer direct services to France, Canada and the United States, as well as being the departure and arrival point for many regional flights to Caribbean destinations.
The situation began to return to normal this week, following the arrival of a ship loaded with aviation fuel.
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