COLOMBIA's biggest airline, Avianca, said it's limiting ticket sales to curb fuel use, even as the government insists that supply has normalised after a refinery outage, reports Bloomberg.

The airline said that it is taking steps to conserve fuel after distributors warned they will limit supply until the start of September. Measures include adjusting itineraries, temporarily suspending the sale of some tickets online, and carrying out some stops to refuel outside of Colombia.

Latam Airlines Group said it had been warned that fuel supplies in Bogota, one of South America's busiest airports, were at "critical levels", while there was no supply in airports in Bucaramanga, Leticia and Monteria.

At the same time, President Gustavo Petro, the Energy Ministry, the Transport Ministry and state-controlled oil company Ecopetrol all insist that fuel supplies are normal.

Ecopetrol's refinery in Cartagena on the nation's Caribbean coast suffered a loss of power more than a week ago, but is now operating normally, said CEO Ricardo Roa. In the meantime, to help meet demand the state energy company is importing fuel to meet 100 per cent of demand from September.

In an open letter to Transport Minister Maria Constanza Garcia, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned some companies have announced the suspension of supply to some airlines in airports including Bogota, Medell¨ªn and Cartagena.

Ms Garc¨ªa told reporters there is enough fuel to meet demand, and any shortfall may be related to logistical problems. The government is reviewing the decisions that aviation companies take, she said, without elaborating.

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