Here’s how it actually works in practice (or should):
Melbourne TAF calls for 340/10-15 CAVOK.
Pilot A, let’s call him A20, plans to land at Melbourne with Final Reserve + 20 minutes, as per advisory holding.
Pilot B, lets call him B40, plans to land at Melbourne with Final Reserve + 40 minutes, because he suspects the possibility of increased holding due to single runway operations if the northerly winds increase.
Let’s assume A20 and B40 are converging on Melbourne at a similar time, but B40 is ahead in the landing sequence.
ATC advise both A20 and B40 to hold inbound, expected holding time 15 minutes.
No problem.
Suddenly an aircraft does a go-around.
ATC advice to both A20 and B40, expected delay now 20 mins.
It is now incumbent on A20 to advise ATC “Minimum Fuel”. That is not a PAN, it is merely an advice to ATC that any further delay will result in the aircraft arriving with less than Final Reserve. That is advisory information to ATC. It is not a demand to jump the queue in the landing sequence. Any request to jump the queue at this point can (and should) be denied.
A few minutes later, Melbourne changes mode to RWY34 single runway ops due to an increased northerly wind.
ATC advise both A20 and B40 that holding is now 30 mins.
A20 responds that they are unable to hold for 30 mins due fuel.
ATC says “OK, what are your intentions?”
A20 says “Our intentions are to land in Melbourne”
ATC says “30 minute delay for that, I have weather for Adelaide and Sydney when you’re ready to copy”
A20 says, “Minimum fuel, we need to land in Melbourne, we need priority landing.”
ATC says “Well, you’ll need to declare an emergency for that, otherwise state diversion airport.”
A20 now has the choice to declare “Mayday Fuel” or divert. The main point being, you don’t get to jump the queue unless it’s an emergency, ie Mayday.
Question: should ATC put A20 in front of B40 simply because he chose not to carry fuel?
The official answer is no, Unless A20 declares “Mayday Fuel”, and accepts the incoming associated with it.
Should ATC be in the business of rewarding airlines for carrying min fuel?