The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Wednesday issued a clarification denying reports that it had sought details on aviation fuel stocks at international airports in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
In a statement, AAI said there were media reports claiming that it had asked airport operators to provide information on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) availability and projected requirements amid the current situation in the Middle East. The authority rejected the claims outright.
“AAI categorically denies these reports,” the statement said.
The authority added that it “has not asked formally or informally any airport operator to furnish details regarding fuel stocks or estimated fuel requirements.” It described reports suggesting such communication as “false and factually incorrect.”
Reiterating its mandate, AAI stated that it functions strictly as an airport operator and navigation service provider and does not exercise oversight over fuel inventories. “AAI remains committed to the safe, secure, and efficient management of airport infrastructure,” the statement said, advising against the circulation of “unverified, false and factually incorrect information.”
The clarification comes a day after reports, citing sources, claimed that AAI had asked international airport operators to share details on available fuel stocks and projected needs for the next seven days as a precautionary step amid the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
According to those reports, the move was described as a “precautionary measure” to assess the fuel supply situation at airports. Sources had told PTI that, following directions from the civil aviation ministry, AAI had sought information on current fuel supply status, average daily consumption, estimated requirements for the next week and the next scheduled fuel replenishment.
India has 33 international airports, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. Data available with the ministry showed 355 international departures and 344 arrivals across Indian airports on March 2.
The earlier reports were framed against concerns that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for global energy flows — could affect oil supplies. The narrow waterway between Oman and Iran handles around one-third of the world’s seaborne crude oil exports and about 20% of liquefied natural gas shipments.>
