BP cuts LAM fuel supply due to accumulated debt

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BP cuts LAM fuel supply due to accumulated debt

4:57 CAT | 17 May 2016

DW (File photo)

Mozambique flag-carrier (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique) LAM’s problems are not confined to delays and poor passenger service. The @Verdade newsite claims to have access to a British Petroleum document informing its superintendents, supervisors and operators at airports in Mozambique “to, until otherwise instructed, not refuel Mozambique Airlines Company aircraft. The instruction covers all flights – local and regional”.

Contacted by @Verdade, BP Mozambique declined to comment, but according to the publication Africa Energy Intelligence, the decision to cut LAM’s fuel supplies was taken in April 2016 because of accumulated debts estimated at US$3 million.

A source close to the Mozambican civil aviation industry says that, due to the BP decision, all LAM airplanes flying to Johannesburg have to leave Maputo with a full tank of fuel so as not to need refuelling at OR Tambo airport.

This is an irregular and insecure situation, the source revealed, adding that, due to pressure from crew, LAM has to pay BP Mozambique cash in hand for the fuelling of flights between Maputo and Johannesburg.

Since February this year, LAM has a new governing body directed by Antonio Pinto de Abreu, the third president of the board of directors in five years, during which time the quality of the state carrier’s services has deteriorated, its delays multiplied, and the cost of flights became more and more expensive.

Source: A Verdade