British oil and gas multinational BP has decided to exit all its aviation activities in SA, a decision based on its current global business strategy, BP Southern Africa head of communications and external affairs Hamlet Morule said on Wednesday.
He did not reply to questions on whether the decision was related to the international sanctions against Russia and the decision by the Airports Company SA (Acsa) to possibly provide fuel to Russian aircraft in future.
SA has maintained close relations with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine, which has been condemned by the UN General Assembly.
According to a News24 report, two Russian planes could not get fuel at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport last year because fuel suppliers had to adhere to the sanctions imposed on Russia by their countries of origin and their own company policies.
Acsa has told parliament that it would adopt a new refuelling plan to deal with a scenario “where a sanctioned friend of the SA government needs servicing and refuelling”.
Morule said in a statement that “as part of good business practice, Air BP reviews its portfolio on a continuous basis. In the light of its latest review, a decision was taken to exit all of BP’s aviation activities, as operator at the airports, and direct supplier to airlines, in SA.
“The decision was made as a result of Air BP’s current global business strategy.”
Morule said BP had withdrawn from Cape Town International Airport effective January 31 and had advised its customers of its decision to cease aviation fuel activities at East London and George Airports on March 31.
“Furthermore, BP Southern Africa has taken a decision to exit operations at OR Tambo International Airport and is currently serving notice to cease being managing participant, effective 1 May 2023. We have sent out communications advising our customers of our decision to cease aviation activities at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports on 30 April 2023,” Morule said.
“In this time of transition, BP remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure customers and the country are not adversely impacted as a direct result of BP’s exit from SA’s aviation market.”
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