US Airways is scrambling to sign a refuelling contract to enable it to launch transatlantic flights from London Heathrow at the end of next month after the EU-US open skies agreement takes effect.
The carrier has not inked a deal with a refueling company and it may consider legal action against Heathrow owner BAA. "We are working every possible angle to acquire fuel at Heathrow," it says, but does not anticipate the fuel situation will postpone its launch date.
BAA says that while current demand does not exceed fuel supply at the airport, there is concern among some airlines that will be the situation during the peak summer season.
The airport has a contingency plan, which the International Air Transport Association helped broker, in which airlines participate in voluntary fuel rationing. The plan was implemented following the December 2005 fire at Buncefield depot that supplies aviation fuel to Heathrow.
Source: Flight International
