Cape Town — BP in South Africa says it is pulling out of all aviation activities in the country, including as an operator at the airports, and direct supplier to airlines.
Head of communications and external affairs at BP Southern Africa, Hamlet Morule said that the decision was made as a result of Air BP’s current global business strategy.
“BP can confirm that it has sent out communication advising its customers of its decision to cease aviation fuel activities at East London and George Airports on March 31, 2023, and has withdrawn from Cape Town International Airport effective January 31, 2023.
“Furthermore, BP Southern Africa has taken a decision to exit operations at OR Tambo International Airport and is currently serving notice to cease being managing participant, effective May 1, 2023. We have sent out communications advising our customers of our decision to cease aviation activities at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports on April 30, 2023,” IOL quoted Morule as saying.
While speculation about whether or not BP stopped its services at airports due to the government’s relationship with Russia, the company did not comment on it.
Speaking to eNCA, Aviation Expert, Phuthego Mojapele said that the fact that BP is an international company, they may want to “keep the position between themselves and the country they originate from”.
Meanwhile, DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Kevin Mileham said that the ANC government’s support of Russia “has triggered economic consequences” for the country and “could be the beginning of a wider disinvestment from South Africa by businesses from Europe”.
“With the fuel supply challenges that have recently been reported at ORTIA and CTIA, a crisis of confidence could soon emerge across our airport network with dire consequences for the economy,” he added.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
