Now, my point here is not to bash MAG, Shell or Ryanair. I'm not interested in apportioning blame for events on the day. The Shell tanker itself no doubt had to honour other commitments prior to refuelling EI-FEH. In the minutes before this Ryanair flight departed, there were four ad-hoc executive departures (1 x G5, 1 x GLEX, 1 x C56X, 1 x P180); no doubt some of these required the attentions of the lone tanker also. That means a queue.
Remote departures such as this are usually planned and an internal email is usually sent out to all relevant parties. There's been an ongoing problem with Shell and the availability of their tanker (or trained staff for it). I'd be tempted to lay the blame on Shell here rather than the airport, as the G5, GLEX, C56X and P180 would've been fuelled by RSS.
PS - Soon, once again, Manchester
International Airport will have no fuelling cover between 2300-0500. Let's hope no diverts drop in over the winter during these hours hoping for a splash n dash
