Fuel Crisis Grounds Flights in Colombia: Airlines, Government Spar Over Cause

Airlines in Colombia have been forced to cancel dozens of flights due to dwindling fuel stocks, leading to travel disruptions and frustration for passengers. The cause of the fuel shortage is a point of contention, with industry officials and the government offering conflicting explanations. National carrier Avianca, which canceled 24 flights on Monday, cited a cap on kerosene deliveries from suppliers. Latin America’s largest airline, LATAM, also announced the cancellation of 36 flights due to fuel supply restrictions at certain airports. State oil company Ecopetrol attributed the shortage to an electrical failure at the Cartagena Refinery, while the government pointed fingers at fuel distributor Terpel, citing potential market manipulation. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned of potential flight cancellations and reduced passenger capacity due to the fuel shortage, highlighting the severity of the situation.