Manchester Airport 'likely to run out of fuel'

westdub

According to latest reports they will be diverting flights....

"We are pretty certain there will be some cases where flights, certainly tonight and tomorrow morning, will be cancelled, diverted to other airports or delayed.

"We don't want this to happen, but equally we aren't prepared to take any risks with fuel and with aircraft safety."

Mr Craig said there was a problem with the supply pipeline from the refinery to the airport.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18344397

lord lucan

Seems like they got away with no delays or cancellations and fuel should be returning back to the airport tonight so they'll be fine for the morning.

adamski8

in that article they said the fuel has to "settle" for two hours before it is used, whats all that about?

kona

adamski8 wrote: »

in that article they said the fuel has to "settle" for two hours before it is used, whats all that about?

To make sure the water content in the fuel is within limits, water and fuel dont mix, water being heavier settles at the bottom.

adamski8

kona wrote: »

To make sure the water content in the fuel is within limits, water and fuel dont mix, water being heavier settles at the bottom.

so how do they avoid getting the water at the end of tank say and why is the water there in the first place?

kona

adamski8 wrote: »

so how do they avoid getting the water at the end of tank say and why is the water there in the first place?

They drain it out the bottom, same applies to a/c parked up at night, contaminated fuel is drained from the tanks. There a chemical that engineers use to test a fuel sample either before uplift from a tanker or if checking the fuel already in the aircraft.

Theres a % of water vapour in the air, this can cause contamination.

Delancey

Is Dublin Airport also supplied via pipeline ?

kona

Delancey wrote: »

Is Dublin Airport also supplied via pipeline ?

No Idea, although judging by the fuel farm there I doubt it.

drdeadlift

Could be wrong isnt the fuel transported to Dublin airport fuel depot by road.

Jamie2k9

lord lucan are DAA using the underground fueling system at T2 or are tankers still being sent to fill aircraft. I havn't had a chance to see over the last while and are aircraft still being guided in by people or is the light system being used?

IngazZagni

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

lord lucan are DAA using the underground fueling system at T2 or are tankers still being sent to fill aircraft. I havn't had a chance to see over the last while and are aircraft still being guided in by people or is the light system being used?

As far as I know the unions put a stop to all that as underground pipelines and the lighting system would reduce the amount of people required to do these jobs.

Madpaddy79

There is no automated marshalling system in Dub, and the underground pipes are not used because the fuel companies won't spend the money on the required vehicles to go with it. Don't know we're your getting your info, but your very misinformed.

airman737

Wondering how many more will be diverted tonight?

lord lucan

Madpaddy79 wrote: »

There is no automated marshalling system in Dub, and the underground pipes are not used because the fuel companies won't spend the money on the required vehicles to go with it. Don't know we're your getting your info, but your very misinformed.

^^
This is how i understand it. AFAIK they still would need a small truck complete with a folding jib for getting the fuel from the ground to aircraft and they're unwilling to go down that road and would rather continue with the current system of tankering fuel to the aircraft.

The main call for a move to using the underground fueling system is on safety grounds,eliminating tankers driving around the apron. I don't see it happening any time soon.

I think it'll be a long time before you'll see auto marshalling at DUB,there doesn't seem to be much call for it from anyone i've talked to about it. Maybe any ramp guys on here may have heard different but anyone i've talked to seems happy enough with the status quo.

Jamie2k9

That flight is not diverted, its a mistake on flight tracker. Its should say SSH-DUB and not MAN.

There is no automated marshalling system in Dub

According to Aer Lingus CEO there is at T2 and they wanted to use it but the DAA will not.

IngazZagni

Operationally having the pipeline wouldn't really help that much. But it must be a pain for the fuel truck drivers to have to constantly travel airside-landside-airside etc. Going through security once per day is enough for me!

As for the auto marshalling system. I think it's much of a muchness really. They are not always reliable, older models at least and sometimes you end up needing an actual marshaller anyway.