By Rebecca Rosenberg
There is a shortage of Avgas - a fuel used for small planes and helicopters, particularly at flying schools - in South Africa and most of the world.
"The Avgas problem is a global problem - only about four refineries in the world produce this product," said Kader Jacobs, BP Aviation supply logistics manager.
Local helicopter and flying schools have reported two shortages in the past two weeks.
"This interruption in fuel supply is very unusual and makes fuel management a pressing issue," said David Heyes of the Starlite helicopter training school.
Student pilot Frank Moody of the Good Hope Flying Club said that on Wednesday he was turned away from BP at Cape Town International Airport as there was no fuel.
The problem started when Durban's South African Petroleum Refinery (Sapref), co-owned by BP and Shell, shut down production of Avgas at the beginning of the year when they had to make modifications in compliance with the new cleaner fuels legislation.
At the same time two other Avgas refineries shut down for maintenance, leaving only the US refinery to meet global supply demands.
"This put strain on the system and now there's a huge demand on the refinery in the US to make enough Avgas," Jacobs said.
Engen, who imported an Avgas shipment more than a month ago, is assisting BP until February 25 when another shipment arrives from Durban.
BP is expecting another shipment from the US in six to eight weeks.