Amid West Asia crisis, Airports Authority of India seeks fuel stock details from airports

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has directed all international airport operators to urgently furnish details of aviation fuel stocks and projected requirements for the next seven days, sources said on Tuesday.

The move follows concerns over possible disruptions in global oil supply chains as the conflict intensifies. Officials said the exercise was aimed at assessing preparedness and ensuring continuity of operations at key aviation hubs across the country.

According to sources, airport operators have been asked to submit data on current fuel reserves, average daily consumption, expected demand over the coming week and timelines for the next replenishment. The directive was issued on the instructions of the Civil Aviation Ministry, signalling heightened vigilance over fuel availability.

The assessment covers all 33 international airports in India, including major hubs such as Indira Gandhi International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Chennai International Airport.

Data from the ministry shows that on March 2, Indian airports handled 355 international departures and 344 arrivals, underlining the scale of operations that could be affected in the event of fuel shortages.

The concern stems from reports of attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy trade. The narrow passage, situated between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and carries nearly one-third of the world’s seaborne crude oil and about a fifth of liquefied natural gas shipments.

Officials maintained that the current step was precautionary, but acknowledged that any prolonged disruption in this route could have cascading effects on fuel supplies, including aviation turbine fuel, potentially impacting flight operations.