A pipeline leak that starved Seattle-Tacoma International Airport of jet fuel is wreaking havoc on one of the busiest U.S. travel weeks of the year. Delta Air Lines has warned that most long-haul departures from Seattle through 28 November may be delayed, rerouted, or canceled. Passengers are allowed to rebook without fare differences if travel is completed by 17 December, though change fees are still waived thereafter.
Washington governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency to expedite over-the-road fuel deliveries, while BP—the pipeline operator—said crews have excavated 200 feet of pipe to locate the breach. Alaska Airlines, also hubbed at Sea-Tac, expects minimal disruption but advised travelers to monitor flight-status alerts.
![Jet-Fuel Shortage at Seattle-Tacoma Forces Long-Haul Flight Cancellations Over Thanksgiving]()
With AAA projecting 6 million U.S. air travelers this holiday, the incident highlights the fragility of fuel supply chains. Corporate-mobility teams with trans-Pacific projects should check whether employees or assignees are transiting Seattle and, if necessary, reroute via Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Vancouver.
Travel insurers report a spike in claims for missed connections. Companies with blanket business-travel insurance should verify whether “fuel shortage” is a covered peril and circulate guidance on claiming additional lodging and meal costs. Meanwhile, Sea-Tac officials say full fuel service could take several more days to restore, pending federal inspection of the repaired pipeline.
Washington governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency to expedite over-the-road fuel deliveries, while BP—the pipeline operator—said crews have excavated 200 feet of pipe to locate the breach. Alaska Airlines, also hubbed at Sea-Tac, expects minimal disruption but advised travelers to monitor flight-status alerts.
With AAA projecting 6 million U.S. air travelers this holiday, the incident highlights the fragility of fuel supply chains. Corporate-mobility teams with trans-Pacific projects should check whether employees or assignees are transiting Seattle and, if necessary, reroute via Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Vancouver.
Travel insurers report a spike in claims for missed connections. Companies with blanket business-travel insurance should verify whether “fuel shortage” is a covered peril and circulate guidance on claiming additional lodging and meal costs. Meanwhile, Sea-Tac officials say full fuel service could take several more days to restore, pending federal inspection of the repaired pipeline.
