Lack of fuel at Findel as NATO pipeline knocked out of action

All airlines departing and landing at Findel airport will receive new instructions to cope with the lack of fuel availability.

Minister of Transport François Bausch confirmed on Thursday evening that the NATO pipeline was unable to supply fuel due to flood damage. According to reports, water has infiltrated a shaft of the pipeline in the area around the Echternach bridge on the German border.

The pipeline's safety system automatically interrupts the fuel supply when it detects an issue in the shaft and supply will not resume until the issue has been cleared - however, this process could take several days to fix.

Airlines have been notified and should ensure all aircraft have sufficient fuel reserves to cope with a return journey.

Detours and deviations are expected as some aircraft may have to perform interim stops at other airports to refill fuel. This will affect both passenger and cargo planes.

It is likely that fuel trucks will be sourced to cover the short-term shortage at the airport. According to reports, the current stocks at Findel should last until Friday evening.

Correcting the issue with the pipeline could well be a lengthy process, as authorities must first identify the exact location of the damage - a difficult task indeed, given that much of the area in question is still underwater, both in Luxembourg and over the German border, rendering the pipeline itself virtually impossible to access.