Israel grounds services over contaminated fuel fears

Israel Airports Authority stated all services set to depart the country have been grounded due to fears of contaminated jet fuel (Associated Press/Haaretz, 05-May-2011). The IAA said it remains uncertain of the reasons for the contamination, but said it would not risk allowing aircraft to depart with the possibility of carrying contaminated fuel. Israel's Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz said the government is looking into the contamination and is requesting interim jet-fuel to be transferred to Tel Aviv from emergency tanks so services can resume. El Al stated it cancelled 20 services due to the incident, with passengers affected to receive a refund (Ynet, 05-May-2011). Arkia stated it has cancelled all services until further notice.