Pilots and airlines must carefully calculate fuel usage for flights. With the exception of fully electric airplanes, which are mostly still in development, all airplanes burn fuel. A typical Boeing 747, for instance, burns roughly 5,000 to 12,000 gallons of fuel for every hour that it’s in the air. Over the course of a four-hour flight, that’s 20,000 to 48,000 gallons.
Most airplanes are equipped with enough fuel for the flight plus an additional “reserve” supply. The reserve supply ensures that airplanes can handle diversions, unforeseen weather or other delays. Some airplanes, however, engage in fuel tankering.
Overview of Fuel Tankering
Fuel tankering is the practice of loading an airplane with extra fuel at a particular airport or stop where prices are low and then using that fuel for the next leg of the journey.
Airports typically have fuel systems. Upon landing, airplanes are refueled using these systems. While some pilots and airlines only refuel with the necessary amount for the next leg plus a small reserve amount, others refuel an extra amount — especially if the fuel is inexpensive. Fuel tanking involves taking advantage of an airport’s low fuel prices by purchasing a significant amount.
Reasons for Fuel Tankering
Pilots and airlines engage in fuel tanking to save money. Different airports charge different amounts for fuel. Depending on the location and market conditions, one airport may charge $3 per gallon, whereas another airport charges $6 per gallon. Given that airplanes can consume tens of thousands of gallons during a given flight, the total cost difference is substantial. To save money, pilots and airlines may opt to fill up their tanks at the low-cost airport.
Another reason for fuel tanking is to ensure the airplane has enough fuel for its journey. Airports may experience problems with their fuel systems, such as shortages or mechanical issues. Rather than hoping that a given airport’s fuel system will work, pilots and airlines may fill up their tanks at the current airport.
Downsides to Fuel Tanking
While it allows pilots and airlines to save money, as well as avoid fuel supply disruptions, fuel tanking has some disadvantages. The main disadvantage is a loss of fuel efficiency. Fuel adds weight to airplanes. Jet A or Jet A-1, for example, weighs almost 7 pounds per gallon. When engaging in fuel tankering, airplanes will carry excess fuel, so they are naturally heavier.
Heavy airplanes, of course, are less efficient than lighter airplanes. They burn fuel more quickly, resulting in increased fuel costs. On the other hand, fuel tankering is typically done to save money by purchasing fuel at airports where it’s priced very low. So, even if it makes airplanes less efficient, it can still provide cost-savings benefits.
Some airlines also have policies that restrict or discourage fuel tanking. Therefore, even if prices are low at a particular airport, pilots or airlines may not be able to take advantage of it.
