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Thousands of airline passengers are stranded in Auckland after a burst pipeline cut fuel supplies to New Zealand's largest airport. The pipeline is Auckland Airport's only source of jet fuel.

Fuel supplies have been rationed and airlines are looking to refuel in Australia and elsewhere to keep long-haul services running.

About 2,000 passengers were affected by cancellations on Monday, according to Air New Zealand. The disruption is expected to last at least a week as repair work continues, the pipeline's operator said.

It has been reported that the damage to the pipeline may have occurred months ago, near Ruakaka and the Marsden Point refinery, about 130km (80 miles) north of the city. But the pipeline burst on Thursday, possibly due to an exploratory search for a valuable swamp log according to the New Zealand Herald.

Air New Zealand said fuel supplies at the airport were down to 30% of normal capacity, forcing some long-haul flights to make additional refuelling stops at airports in Australia and the Pacific. "Aviation is a critical transport industry and the lifeblood for tourism. We are naturally extremely disappointed with this infrastructure failure," it said. Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Emirates also said that some flights had been affected by the fuel shortage. At least 27 international and domestic flights were cancelled over the weekend.

Several petrol stations in Auckland have been hit by fuel shortages as problems caused by damage to a pipeline in New Zealand's largest city spread.

Z Energy confirmed to the BBC that 13 service stations had run out of 95 octane petrol by Tuesday.

Z Energy, the country's largest fuel supplier, moved to reassure motorists in a statement on Monday that further disruption to 95 octane petrol supplies would be limited.

"All grades of fuel are being trucked into the city and there is no cause for concern," the company said.
Initially only four petrol stations were affected by the shortage of 95 octane - a premium unleaded fuel - but that had risen to 13 by Tuesday. Other grades of fuel were available.

EdwinSm wrote:Oops....Having only 1 pipeline saves money if everything runs smoothly. Having a backup costs more, but allows for more security of supply.

It looks like the cost vs security question went towards keeping the cost down.

Is having disruption for one week (estimated time of repairs) in x years worth the cost savings over having two separate pipe lines?