Unbelievable! Is Anchorage International Airport really out of fuel?

Anchorage’s approximate location is marked by the red circle here: According to this agent, Anchorage Airport has run out of jet fuel and cannot refuel aircraft making technical stops. Online reports suggest that—while a complete cutoff is unlikely—the airport is facing a severe shortage and tight supply, with priority currently given to essential flights. Interestingly, some sources claim airlines have been advised to refuel at airports within Russia instead, to ease the pressure. With the U.S. and Israel preparing for potential strikes against Iran, Russia appears to be reaping unexpected benefits... If Anchorage Airport cannot supply jet fuel to most flights, the short-term impact would still be substantial. First, the airport handles roughly 80% of air cargo traffic between Asia and North America. Losing its refueling capability would force freighter flights to either reduce payload or seek alternative routes—driving up transportation costs significantly. Since cargo planes cannot refuel mid-route, they must carry all fuel needed for the entire journey, sacrificing precious payload capacity to fuel storage; thus, cargo volume per flight would drop sharply, undermining global supply chain efficiency. Second, trans-Pacific passenger routes would undergo widespread adjustments. Airlines may opt for longer routes (as Anchorage has long served as a time-tested, likely optimal stopover point), increasing flight time and fuel consumption. Some smaller- and medium-sized carriers may suspend trans-Pacific services altogether due to the added cost burden, resulting in a sharp contraction of available capacity. Beyond Anchorage, numerous airports worldwide are currently experiencing varying degrees of jet fuel shortages. Noi Bai International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City Airport in Vietnam face severe shortages. Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority has warned the aviation industry to prepare for possible flight reductions starting in April; Vietnam Airlines plans to suspend certain domestic routes beginning April 1. Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines, and Islamabad and Karachi airports in Pakistan, are also suffering serious shortages—primarily because these regions rely heavily on imported jet fuel, and major exporting countries have curtailed exports, causing critical inventory depletion. José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba, previously experienced a severe jet fuel supply cutoff. Due to intensified U.S. sanctions, the Cuban government suspended jet fuel supply at nine of its international airports nationwide from February 10 to March 11. Although that suspension period has ended, supply remains unstable: at times, no fuel is available at all. Flights to and from Havana must therefore carry sufficient fuel for the full journey or make refueling stops elsewhere.

A returning flight was abruptly canceled, stranding overseas students at Zurich Airport; an airline official reportedly said: ‘Go back where you came from!’

Hard to believe—yet the heartbreaking scene of ‘home but unable to return’ has unfolded once again! On March 27, 200 overseas students and Chinese compatriots were stranded at Zurich Airport after their flight was canceled at the last minute. The hashtag #ChineseStudentsStrandedAtZurichAirport instantly trended on social media. Passengers originated from various places—including the UK and Brazil—and were scheduled to fly from Zurich to Shanghai Pudong aboard Swiss International Air Lines flight LX188. Yet just 20 minutes before boarding, the airline notified them that the flight had been canceled. This sudden cancellation struck many passengers like a bolt from the blue. According to one passenger’s social media post, numerous stranded travelers were students—many of whose UK student visas and Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) had already expired. After securing an expensive return ticket home, they’d completed mandatory nucleic acid tests and even vacated their rented accommodations. In other words, they were trapped: unable to reach Shanghai, yet with no place to return to in their original departure cities. Even more infuriating was the absence of any responsible airport official capable of offering a viable solution—only a dismissive statement that passengers could not fly to Shanghai that night and must return to their cities of origin. After passengers explicitly rejected this proposal, another staff member offered a new ‘solution’: compensation would be provided only if passengers agreed to return to their original departure cities. However, should they insist on traveling to Shanghai, the airline would assume no responsibility for accommodation, quarantine, meals, or rebooking. As noted above, many passengers were graduates who had already wrapped up their studies and settled all affairs—or Chinese nationals who had deliberately abandoned jobs, businesses, and lives abroad in a resolute, all-or-nothing decision to return home. Thus, the airline’s inaction—and the impractical, unreasonable proposals offered by its staff—were utterly unacceptable and incomprehensible. The result? Over one hundred passengers ended up sleeping overnight on airport floors, lying on makeshift mats, hungry and waiting for resolution. With no other recourse, passengers turned to social media platforms, posting photos, videos, and pleas for help. In fact, this isn’t the first time such abrupt cancellations have occurred. A similar incident recently stranded passengers at Vienna Airport. Although direct China–UK flights are gradually resuming, demand from the massive overseas student population and diaspora remains overwhelming—making flight availability an ongoing challenge. Consequently, many students remain hesitant, choosing to stay in the UK temporarily while awaiting better opportunities to return home. While the UK’s Graduate Visa route may alleviate residency concerns for students, the soaring cost of living remains an unavoidable burden. Latest survey data shows that weekly living expenses for first-year international students in the UK have hit a new high. Average weekly spending rose from £214 in 2019 to £235 this academic year. Beyond groceries, expenditures on electronics, kitchenware, and household goods have also risen across the board for UK-based international students.

Zurich Airport faces fuel shortage: Swiss government approves reserve withdrawals

18 hours ago

The Swiss government authorized withdrawals from mandatory jet fuel reserves to address a supply shortage at Zurich Airport caused by disrupted rail freight transport. Up to 30,000 cubic metres of fuel will be released between October 15 and November 1.

reuters

2026-10-15

Zurich Airport faces fuel shortage: Swiss government approves reserve withdrawals

Zurich Airport faces fuel shortage: Swiss government approves reserve withdrawals

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