Overview
- Lufthansa has instructed pilots on selected routes to tanker extra fuel so aircraft need less or no refuelling on arrival at Frankfurt Airport.
- The supply squeeze is tied to low Rhine water levels that limit tanker-ship deliveries and to a reported reduction in pipeline capacity that cuts resupply volumes.
- Operational limits have been set to protect ground handling, including a reported roughly eight-tonne extra-fuel cap for A320-family jets and additional towing-weight constraints for larger widebodies.
- Frankfurt’s fuel operator HBG can hold about 186,000 cubic metres of kerosene, roughly a two-week buffer at normal use, but prolonged delivery shortfalls would shrink that reserve and could force tougher steps.
- Lufthansa calls the measures precautionary and says cancellations are not expected as it continuously monitors deliveries and airport stocks while aiming to avoid losing passenger or freight capacity.