On January 15, the Spanish company Repsol was the protagonist of one of the biggest ecological disasters in Peruvian history. It dumped dumping 11,900 barrels of oil into the sea, contaminating kilometers of the Peruvian coast.
This disaster occurred at the «La Pampilla» Refinery facilities, located in Ventanilla’s district and on the Pacific Ocean shores.
Due to this ecological disaster, the Peruvian government ordered the stoppage of the operation at the refinery.
As a result of this stoppage, the embassies of France and the Netherlands in Peru were the first entities to pronounce on this activities suspension in «La Pampilla».
The statement
Both embassies issued a statement addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru showing their concern about the continuity of air operations between Peru and Europe.
After this communication was issued, on February 5, the Peruvian Environmental Assessment and Enforcement Agency temporarily authorized the oil loading and unloading at the “La Pampilla” Refinery for 10 days.
This provisional measure was issued to guarantee the supply of Turbo A1 and IFO/Diesel Marino/Bunker fuel. Thus avoiding aircraft shortages operating at Jorge Chávez International Airport.
It should be noted that this provisional authorization did not indicate the ending of the administrative measure to stop the activities at the refinery.
However, this temporary permit expires today. At the moment there is no news about the future of the activities at the refinery and the supply of fuel for aircraft operations at the Jorge Chávez International Airport.
It is important to remember that Repsol is responsible for supplying 70% of the fuel for aircraft in the main Peruvian air terminal. Daily operations of this airport counting national and international flights reach an average of 250.
According to the Peruvian Association of Port Operators, the Peruvian State could bankrupt the internal economy and foreign trade for more than $80,000 million if “La Pampilla” continues to be paralyzed.
In addition, if the French and Dutch embassies’ concern becomes a reality, it would generate a huge crisis. Certainly, a crisis that has never been seen before in the history of Peruvian aviation.
To conclude
The shortage of fuel at the Jorge Chávez International Airport would be a catastrophe. Since the country would be cut off almost entirely. This would happen because today the land borders remain closed, leaving only «free» communication by sea.
Likewise, and during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccination program would also be affected since the vaccines arrive in the country by air.
It is curious that the first lot of vaccines arrived in the country by Air France. While Pfizer vaccines arrived in Peru on KLM flights. Today both embassies request the Peruvian government to guarantee fuel to avoid shortages and cessation of operations between Europe and Peru.
