Economic crisis takes its toll on flying clubs

Restriction on imports results in phenomenal rise in price of aviation gasoline

KARACHI:

Flying clubs in the country are closing one after another as it has become extremely difficult for them to get aviation gasoline -- 100 octane low-leaded (100LL) -- due to restrictions imposed by the federal government on opening letters of credit (LCs).

One year ago the 100LL fuel was available at Rs260 per liter. However, now it is not even available at Rs1,200 per liter.  This grave situation has arisen as the federal government has imposed restriction on opening LCs for the imported fuel, resulting in accruing demurrage charges.

“Due to this fuel crisis, several flying clubs have closed their doors,” said Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) General Secretary Captain (Retd) Asim Nawaz.

LL-100 is used as a fuel in small piston engine aircraft used by flying clubs and charter plane companies.

Piston engine aircraft have one or more piston-powered engines connected to a propeller to provide thrust to move the aircraft on the ground and through the air. Piston-powered aircraft most commonly use 100LL fuel and fly at altitudes below 15,000 feet.

Nawaz said if the situation persisted then all the flying clubs would shut down, while people using chartered planes would have to pay exorbitant amounts.

“The training of new pilots will also stop as it will not be possible soon to fly training aircraft. The Aero Club, the Rawalpindi Aero Club and the Peshawar Flying Club have already been closed,” he added.

An official has confirmed that 100LL fuel now costs Rs635 per liter after import.

Nawaz said the issue has been highlighted during a senate standing committee meeting chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.

“We have requested the senator to take custom authorities on board. We request that the government end fuel companies’ monopoly and allow flying companies to import the fuel directly,” he said.