Virgin Atlantic passengers flying in a single day tonight from Johannesburg to London will discover their journey prolonged by 600 miles and three hours. The identical will apply for northbound flights on the route as much as 2 Could.
A scarcity of gasoline at Johannesburg’s O R Tambo airport – the principle hub for South Africa – has led Virgin Atlantic to divert its in a single day flight from the town through Durban, which is 300 miles south.
After departure from Johannesburg at 6.45pm, the Airbus A350 will fly away from London to the coastal metropolis’s airport, the place it should refuel. The onward journey to London is nearly 6,000 miles and includes flying very near Johannesburg.
Passengers have been advised: “We wished to offer you some necessary data to your flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow on 28 April.
“Due present gasoline provide points at OR Tambo Worldwide Airport, we’re unable to gasoline our plane as regular on the airport.
“Subsequently, your flight will briefly function through Durban, to be able to complement gasoline and proceed to the UK. All passengers will stay on board throughout this course of. “The Durban cease will add roughly three hours to the journey time and is a needed measure to allow prospects to finish their journey plans.
“We apologise for any inconvenience triggered and are monitoring gasoline deliveries intently, sustaining common contact with native companions.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson mentioned: “In response to present gasoline provide points at OR Tambo Worldwide Airport, till 2 Could, some Virgin Atlantic flights VS450 from Johannesburg to London Heathrow might function through Durban, to be able to complement gasoline and proceed to the UK.”
Johannesburg airport has suffered sporadic gasoline shortages in current months, however they’ve been exacerbated by flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, which has interrupted provide chains in South Africa.
Earlier this week United Airways cancelled flights between New York and Johannesburg citing “airport-wide provide points”. The 8,000-mile flight is among the airline’s longest.
British Airways flights between Johannesburg and London look like unaffected.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
