A steam boiler failure at the Natref petroleum refinery in Sasolburg on 6 September 2026 triggered an unplanned shutdown that is now squeezing jet fuel supply to OR Tambo International Airport - the country’s busiest aviation hub and the main gateway for flights into South Africa.
What Happened
Natref supplies an estimated 70–80% of the jet fuel used at OR Tambo. When the boiler failed, the refinery went offline without warning, cutting the pipeline that keeps the airport’s storage tanks topped up. The Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) says its reserves currently stand at five to six days of cover and has stopped short of declaring an official fuel shortage - but the situation is being actively managed.
The Risk Window
The disruption window runs from 6 September through 4 October 2026. Until Natref resumes full production and the supply chain stabilises, the fuel situation at OR Tambo is described by industry sources as “balanced on a knife-edge.” There are no mass cancellations at present, but the margin for error is narrow.
Airlines Respond
FlySafair has confirmed operational disruptions linked to the fuel situation. Several other carriers operating through Johannesburg have activated contingency measures, including tankering - loading extra fuel at other South African airports or regional hubs so aircraft arrive at OR Tambo with enough fuel to depart again without a full refuel on the ground. Passengers on affected routes may notice increased turn-around times as a result.
What Travellers Should Do
Before you leave for the airport:
- Check your airline’s app and email for status updates - disruptions can move quickly
- Allow extra time if you are using airport transfers from OR Tambo scheduled to meet a specific flight
- Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers flight disruption costs if you have not already done so
- If your departure is more than a week away, monitor the situation - the risk window closes around 4 October
We will update this article as the situation develops. At this stage, the advice from ACSA and airlines is to stay informed rather than cancel or rebook pre-emptively unless your airline contacts you directly. You can check flights to South Africa across multiple carriers to monitor availability and pricing as the situation evolves.