NEW DELHI / MUMBAI (March 4, 2026) — The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a categorical denial following reports that it had sought urgent details on aviation fuel stocks from international airport operators. In a statement released late Tuesday and reiterated on Wednesday morning, the state-owned body clarified that it has not made any formal or informal request for fuel inventory data, describing such reports as “false and factually incorrect.”
Context: The “Precautionary Measure” Reports
On March 3, several news agencies, citing senior aviation sources, reported that the AAI had directed operators of India’s 33 international airports—including major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru—to furnish a seven-day fuel requirement forecast.
The reported details sought purportedly included:
- Current Reserves: Total kilolitres of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) available on-site.
- Daily Consumption: Average fuel burn rates under current disrupted schedules.
- Replenishment Timeline: The date and volume of the next scheduled delivery from oil marketing companies (OMCs).
These reports suggested the move was a “precautionary measure” prompted by the military strikes involving the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28, which have severely impacted the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for nearly one-third of the world’s seaborne oil.
The Official Clarification
In its rebuttal, the AAI emphasized that its institutional mandate is strictly limited to airport operations and air navigation services.
“AAI categorically denies these reports. AAI has not asked formally or informally any airport operator to furnish details regarding fuel stocks… AAI is an airport operator and navigation service provider and does not exercise oversight over fuel inventories.” — Official AAI Statement
The authority advised the public and stakeholders against circulating unverified information that could lead to unnecessary panic within the aviation sector.
Current Aviation Landscape in India
While the AAI has denied the fuel probe, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) remains on high alert due to the broader operational impact of the Middle East conflict:
- Flight Disruptions: Over 700 international flights to and from India were cancelled or rerouted between March 1 and March 3 due to the closure of Persian Gulf airspace.
- Relief Operations: The government has coordinated over 12 special relief flights via IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet to repatriate thousands of Indians stranded in Jeddah, Dubai, and Muscat.
- Fuel Price Surge: Global Brent crude prices have surged by over 15% this week, touching $92 per barrel, which experts warn will eventually lead to a significant hike in domestic ATF prices if hostilities persist.
Sources
- DD News: “Airports Authority of India Denies Seeking ATF Stock Details” (March 4, 2026)
- The Economic Times: “AAI clarifies it did not seek aviation fuel stock data from international airports” (March 4, 2026)
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “AAI seeks info on fuel stocks… later denies request in late evening statement” (March 3, 2026)
- The Hindu: “AAI seeks info on fuel stocks from international airport operators amid West Asia crisis” (March 3, 2026)
- Business Standard: “AAI calls for fuel stock details from airports amid West Asia crisis” (March 3, 2026)
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