Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is facing issues with its fuel supply, and it’s starting to impact passengers. This isn’t exactly a great week for these kinds of issues, as we approach the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
In this post:
Airlines prepare for fuel disruptions at SeaTac Airport
The Olympic Pipeline, which supplies fuel to SeaTac Airport, has been facing issues in recent times. Last week, it was shut down, following discovery of a leak. While it was briefly restored, an additional fuel leak was discovered a short while later, causing it to be halted once again. The pipeline is operated by BP Pipelines North America, and the company has indicated that there’s no timeline for service to be restored.
As a result, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has issued an emergency proclamation, warning of potentially significant impacts to the state’s biggest airport, if service isn’t restored by Saturday evening. At this point that seems highly unlikely, as new issues have just been discovered, meaning parts of the pipeline are now being excavated, to allow for visual inspection.
While fuel is being trucked to SeaTac Airport at higher volumes, it’s hard to keep up with the amount that would ordinarily run through the pipeline.
Airlines are starting to make Seattle refueling stops
Up until now, flights have mostly been operating pretty smoothly at SeaTac Airport, since there’s a delayed impact to the pipeline issues (as there’s a fuel reserve at the airport).
However, we’re starting to see our first flights impacted, on some of the airport’s longest routes (thanks to readers Ian and Nicholas for flagging this). Specifically, Taiwanese carriers EVA Air and Starlux Airlines have both added refueling stops to their Taipei (TPE) service out of Seattle. EVA Air is operating via Anchorage (ANC), while Starlux is operating via Portland (PDX).
Alaska and Delta are the two biggest airlines at the airport, and while they’re not yet impacted, they are making preparations. In a statement, an Alaska spokesperson shared the following:
“To ensure our scheduled service is maintained without significant disruption, we are preparing contingency plans, which include fuel management strategies such as tankering in fuel on inbound flights to Seattle, assessing tech stop options along certain routes to conserve fuel, and maintaining and expanding our trucking operation to bring in additional fuel supply.”
Meanwhile Delta released the following statement:
“While we work with our fuel supply partners to actively mitigate any disruptions to supply, customers are encouraged to check the status of their flights before departing for the airport until the situation is resolved.”
It seems highly likely that operations will soon be impacted on a widespread basis (especially for long haul flights, where tankering in fuel on inbound flights isn’t practical), so be sure to keep an eye on your flight status.
Bottom line
SeaTac Airport is facing a major fuel shortage, due to ongoing issues with the Olympic Pipeline. While the pipeline issues have been there for days now, there’s a delay with this impacting airline operations, and it seems like we’re about to reach the point where the airport will have a serious fuel shortage.
Some airlines are starting to schedule refueling stops on long haul flights, and with pipeline issues ongoing, don’t be surprised to see this become significantly more common.
What do you make of this SeaTac fuel situation?
My Alaska flight from Seattle to Hawaii will be stopping in Portland for fuel, adding 2 hours to the flight time.
This reminds me of the song, David Bowie, "Changes". hVery ard to believe this story, not the writing from Ben, but the story itself.
I guess changes coming.
Great opportunity for progressive communism loving people of NW to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. I heard that it rains most of the times in Seattle. Maybe they can convert their planes to run on water, and save the planet.
The pipeline is run by a private company, BP pipelines. But reading comprehension is usually the first sign of right wing brain rot, so I'm not surprised you missed that in Ben's article.
Our 6-hour Alaska flight to Hawaii today has added a few hours for a fuel stop in Portland.
This is the same pipeline that leaked and then exploded in 1999 killing 3.
at the time of that explosion, the pipeline was operated by a joint venture between Texaco and Shell.
the pipeline does not carry just jet fuel but all types of refined products from northern Washington refineries to the Seattle and Portland metro areas.
You can already see Alaska has diverted Hawaii flights to PDX to fuel up.
A glimpse into the future if the net-zero people have their way. Their solution for aviation fuel (and gasoline too) will be the same as that for green electrical energy. Basically, society will have to stop counting on electrical power being available 24/7/365. When the sun is shining and the wind is blowing sufficiently, we will get electrical power, when those condones are not met, we will just have to learn to do without. Same...
A glimpse into the future if the net-zero people have their way. Their solution for aviation fuel (and gasoline too) will be the same as that for green electrical energy. Basically, society will have to stop counting on electrical power being available 24/7/365. When the sun is shining and the wind is blowing sufficiently, we will get electrical power, when those condones are not met, we will just have to learn to do without. Same for aviation fuel--when your flight gets an allocation you can fly, when it doesn't you won't.
this is exactly what I would have typed if I had never heard about batteries
Rotting infrastructure has ZERO to do with renewable energy. BP has chosen to let their pipeline rust in the ground. Executives and shareholders love the deferred CapEx, travelers and cargo just gotta suck it up.
LOL! You should research how renewal sources of energy are generated and stored before you start spouting off this ridiculous nonsense. All renewable energy production models involve batteries that store energy for when it's needed.
You, however, seem to think the solution is to just keep doing what we're doing and everything will be okay. BP and others will just miraculously start investing in deferred maintenance. Oil spills like the massive one on the Keystone...
LOL! You should research how renewal sources of energy are generated and stored before you start spouting off this ridiculous nonsense. All renewable energy production models involve batteries that store energy for when it's needed.
You, however, seem to think the solution is to just keep doing what we're doing and everything will be okay. BP and others will just miraculously start investing in deferred maintenance. Oil spills like the massive one on the Keystone pipeline will just mysteriously disappear. Guess that is what they're telling you over on Fox News.
As as for the "just suck it up" mentality, you clearly do not live in America. So, I'll just say this...you first and then you can explain to all of the entitled people out there who freak out when they don't get the seat they want why they have to wait.
for non-aviation purposes you have a point but there is no commercial aviation that is powered by electricity and won't be for years to come.
none of which has anything to do with a failed pipeline which some are convinced is because of negligence.
Has anyone bothered to do any research on the history of this pipeline and the legal attempts to upgrade it, if any? You do realize that there have been repeated efforts to prevent pipelines in the US from being upgraded?
Jcil must have received their degree from prager University. Sir, Corporations like BP don’t spend money on maintaining infrastructure unless they absolutely have to (ie regulators or loss of profit, occasionally bad press).
I'm sorry, a private company doesn't maintain their pipeline,likely choosing to maximize extracting short term profits over long term maintenance, and it's a damnation of... Renewable energy? That's some Trumpian [anti-]logic if I ever saw it.
while inefficient, it is possible to tanker fuel on many domestic flights to reduce the demand for fuel at SEA while using trucks to fuel longer haul domestic and international flights where there is little ability to add extra fuel to planes on the inbound flight to SEA.
The chances are that the available fuel is being split proportionately between users based on what they normally use which is why international carriers will be...
while inefficient, it is possible to tanker fuel on many domestic flights to reduce the demand for fuel at SEA while using trucks to fuel longer haul domestic and international flights where there is little ability to add extra fuel to planes on the inbound flight to SEA.
The chances are that the available fuel is being split proportionately between users based on what they normally use which is why international carriers will be hardest hit.
BP might have known there were problems w/ the pipeline but operating in openly hostile regions of the country for hydrocarbons absolutely impacts the ability to upgrade fuel infrastructure just as is happening in California.
I agree. Lengthy international flights should be given a full fuel load. Aircraft flying shorter flights can just be sure to fill up before flying to SEA so that they'll just need to top off before departing SEA.
and yet there is no reason why the availability of fuel during a crisis should not be proportionate to the use of fuel before.
and there are many domestic flights that cannot tanker fuel in to SEA if at all.
The airport is using fuel trucks but big international planes use lots of fuel every day of the year. It is not unreasonable for foreign carriers to plan a diversion for fuel on a...
and yet there is no reason why the availability of fuel during a crisis should not be proportionate to the use of fuel before.
and there are many domestic flights that cannot tanker fuel in to SEA if at all.
The airport is using fuel trucks but big international planes use lots of fuel every day of the year. It is not unreasonable for foreign carriers to plan a diversion for fuel on a portion of their flights and be able to operate nonstop on other days in line with the proportion of fuel that they receive before and after the pipeline crisis.
Tim, I'm not sure where you live, but let's assume it's a red county in a red state like Georgia. Accordingly, if there's a fuel pipeline actively leaking right next to your house, it's all good, right? Just a little rain from God. It's only those completely unreasonable Woke Coast liberals who don't want jet fuel leaking into their rivers and streams, correct?
I do not live in Georgia and no one is saying that a pipeline that is leaking fuel is acceptable in any part of the country.
how you came up with your statement based on anything that was said in this article or the comments is certainly a head scratcher
Problems would be solved by just taxing the rich. Increase income tax and tax frequent flyer miles 50%. Half of you balance and half of current earnings go to the government, who will give free airline tickets to Medicaid recipients.
Oh, so leftists campaign against pipelines, refineries, drilling at every turn, inflating the cost and dragging everything down in litigation. Then when there is the inevitable disruption and their precious bicoastal premium class travel is in danger, they have the solutions to fix that...more taxes? Just stupid. Socialism is the problem, not the solution. But I think the left coast and NY deserve what they vote for, so enjoy.
Washington has no income tax.
and yet Washington retail gasoline prices are more than $1/gallon above national averages as is true of all of the west coast states
King County, WA has some of the most expensive gas in the nation and higher than other western US metros which are already higher than the rest of the US.
Jet fuel isn't gasoline but Washingtonians pay for an energy hostile environment
All that money in Seattle area and its becoming same dump as SF. This just one of the infrastructure issues the area is facing.
The entire country has infrastructure issues. Just drive on an American highway, ride on mass transit, or use a US airport. Below third world grade.
Watching with a nervous eye as I’m booked SEA-PPT tomorrow.
Seattle is SF lite basically, but also worse in terms of magnitude on the serious issues because of the smaller population
As someone who actually lives in Seattle, we are not SF lite. Very different cities. Also, Seattle and SF are within 15k of each other in population.
You do realize that the problem is a private company neglected to do basic maintenance.
This is not the government's fault, but all the anti-government people are ranting about Seattle. News Flash BP HQ is in London.
Yes, and I'm sure that Moose Snout or wherever you live is just the picture of idyllic Americana. It's laughable that you would call SF a dump while it has some of of the most beautiful architecture, world-class cultural amenities, beautiful scenery, top-tier educational and healthcare facilities, and people who actually own passports. Happy you think it's a dump, because my guess is most folks there wouldn't care for your opinion.
Same reason folks like...
Yes, and I'm sure that Moose Snout or wherever you live is just the picture of idyllic Americana. It's laughable that you would call SF a dump while it has some of of the most beautiful architecture, world-class cultural amenities, beautiful scenery, top-tier educational and healthcare facilities, and people who actually own passports. Happy you think it's a dump, because my guess is most folks there wouldn't care for your opinion.
Same reason folks like me choose not to live near folks like you...you think where we live is a dump and we think your communities are filled with hateful people who would rather step over someone in need before lifting a finger to help.
Sorry if I'm being too direct. Just taking a queue from our King.
You sound really nice. I wonder if the professors at the top-tier educational institutions know the difference between a queue and a cue…
They might...but they probably don't use auto-correct. LOL! Now, do you have a valid point to make about?
There is a difference be niceness and kindness. I am kind, but not always "nice" in the artificial definition whereby I have to kiss someone's a$$ and go along with hateful, inaccurate rhetoric just to keep the peace. @Name's argument was politically-motivated dribble that is nothing more than a Fox News talking point that is not...
They might...but they probably don't use auto-correct. LOL! Now, do you have a valid point to make about?
There is a difference be niceness and kindness. I am kind, but not always "nice" in the artificial definition whereby I have to kiss someone's a$$ and go along with hateful, inaccurate rhetoric just to keep the peace. @Name's argument was politically-motivated dribble that is nothing more than a Fox News talking point that is not rooted in any basis of fact and has, in fact, been disproven over and over and over again.
As for my niceness, I match energy, which began with @Name using the article as an opportunity slam SEA and SF when the issue is BP's failure to maintain their pipelines. BP already screwed American once in the last decade with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon pipeline disaster.
Chances are the pipeline dates back to the 50's or 60's and BP refused to spend any maintenance money in order to prop up the quarterly earnings per share numbers.
Yup. Same issue with water pipelines in the UK at present. Decades of lack of infrastructure investment to feed shareholders.
Poor little Delta - All that refinery oil but no real access to it in Seattle.
BP is an incompetent pipeline operator that polluted Alaska for years until it finally sold out.
Is that effectively Amoco and ARCO?
When will company CEOs realise that acquisitions are rarely a good idea - the potential for acquiring bad culture/management is so high.
Unfortunately they tend to get lauded and it is their successors who have to deal with the mess.
I see Boeing re McDonnell Douglas mentioned often here.
Foreign companies acquiring American ones have a particularly bad track record - E.g. John Browne at BP.
first, the DL refinery is in Philadelphia (or near it) and has never directly supplied fuel to the west coast regardless of owner. It does supply jet fuel to DL's NE airports and the gasoline and non-jet fuel that the refinery produces is traded for jet fuel throughout the country.
and, more significantly, there is no refinery that directly supplies SEA; all airport fuel moves through pipelines.
second, feel free to list the DL...
first, the DL refinery is in Philadelphia (or near it) and has never directly supplied fuel to the west coast regardless of owner. It does supply jet fuel to DL's NE airports and the gasoline and non-jet fuel that the refinery produces is traded for jet fuel throughout the country.
and, more significantly, there is no refinery that directly supplies SEA; all airport fuel moves through pipelines.
second, feel free to list the DL flights that are not operating or have to divert because of the refinery situation.
Looks like all of DL's flights to Asia are operating normally; it is actually Eva and China Airlines that are having the most problems.
Well thankfully I left for Europe before this! I had a wonderful stay at the NH Collection Brussels Centre.
@Ben Schlappig you really should do a review of the GHA Discovery Loyalty program, as I said in you Cappella article it’s a super useful program for those who want top tier status, but either can’t get a credit card with status or don’t travel enough to get status the old fashioned way.
Third world country through and through
Truly. A disgusting country.
Don't you mean a third world company?
I'm shocked, shocked that BP a company that managed to pollute the Gulf Coast with a oil leak that they couldn't fix for months was unable to keep their pipeline leak free.
When I travel, I tell inform people that the US is a dystopia. I don’t bother informing Americans because most are delusional and/or don’t care.