NEW YORK – American Airlines yesterday urged its pilots to do everything possible to save fuel, warning that a supply crunch in the United States is challenging company operations.
“Use all available fuel savings strategies when possible,” said managing director of flight operations John Dudley in a memo to pilots.
“Every gallon of jet fuel saved is helpful.”
Factors behind the supply crunch include shortages of fuel itself as well as trucks to transport it and drivers, he said.
“These challenges are not only impacting airports and airlines, but also the efforts to fight the large forest fires on the west coast.”
The fuel crunch is the latest problem facing US carriers, which are experiencing a vaccine-driven surge in travel demand after a sharp downturn last year during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fuel shortages were found initially in the western US, but “are now being reported at American stations across the country”, said Dudley, adding that fuel delivery delays are expected through mid-August.
Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for the Allied Pilots’ Association (APA), said he expects planes to fly with more fuel than needed to complete their journey when they travel from cities where the commodity is more abundant into cities where supplies are tight.
Because extra fuel adds weight, aircraft may need to leave some seats empty, he told AFP, adding that “safety is the most important thing”.
Besides working to conserve fuel, Dudley urged pilots to contact American Airlines dispatchers early “if it is necessary to land en route”, and noted that taking on extra fuel “will lead to a heavier aircraft when landing”.
A memo from APA to union members restated many of the same points, adding that “these new challenges are manageable, but it’s important to be proactive and work closely with the load agents and dispatchers”. – AFP, July 27, 2021
