The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has extended licences for importing and storing jet fuel to allow airports time to recover from ongoing supply issues, according to a Reuters report.

The decision to extend licences was received well by the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA), which noted that members would now be able to operate special storage warehouses (SOS) licences until October 31, 2026.

According to Reuters, the licence will allow for the continued import and storage of aviation kerosene in licences tanks, with supply to key airports then provided through a multi-product pipeline. Such airports include OR Tambo International Airport, which is currently one of Africa’s busiest travel hubs.

The licence also allows for the storage and transfer of illuminating kerosene – a fuel that is mainly used for domestic cooking.

FIASA noted that the extension was a “critical intervention in safeguarding South Africa’s security of supply, particularly for the aviation sector and communities that rely on illuminating kerosene”.

In the past, SARS has noted that strict compliance is required for SOS licence holders due to the import and movement of both aviation and illumination kerosene being strictly regulated under South Africa’s Customs and Excise Act.

Part of the reason for an increase in the import of aviation fuel is due to South Africa’s struggling domestic refining sector – with the country having lost nearly half of its total capacity since 2020. This has limited the availability of jet fuel at airports and has continued to cause significant shortages. In January this year, South Africa moved to secure more than 121mn litres of jet fuel for OR Tambo Airport to keep supplies flowing after the country’s 108,500 barrel per day (bpd) Natref refinery shut down following a fire, having been a prime supplier of jet fuel previously.

Currently the plant – South Africa’s only inland crude refinery – is undergoing planned maintenance and is expected to resume normal production by late February 2025.