British Airways A380 Declares Minimum Fuel During San Francisco Approach

British Airways flight BA287, operated by an Airbus A380-800, declared minimum fuel while approaching San Francisco International Airport after being instructed to hold due to a runway disruption, before landing safely with priority handling. See ATC and Pilot Comms at the end of the story.

The incident occurred on a scheduled long-haul service from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco on Jan. 15. As the aircraft descended into the terminal area, air traffic control directed the crew into a holding pattern after an emergency landing by another aircraft temporarily blocked runway 28, one of the airport’s primary arrival runways.

The Airbus A380-800 involved, registered as G-XLEC, remained in the hold while controllers worked to resolve the runway situation. During this phase, the flight crew informed NorCal Approach that the aircraft would reach minimum fuel status by approximately 03:45 UTC. The crew made clear that continued holding beyond that point would not be possible and requested priority clearance once conditions allowed.

A minimum fuel declaration is a standard procedural advisory used by flight crews to indicate that any further delay could result in a fuel emergency. While it does not constitute a mayday or pan-pan call, it alerts controllers that the aircraft requires priority handling to avoid breaching required fuel reserves.

NorCal Approach acknowledged the advisory and coordinated closely with San Francisco tower controllers to manage the arrival sequence. Once runway operations stabilised, the British Airways A380 was cleared to continue its approach. Given the congested traffic environment and the presence of other heavy aircraft on final, controllers carefully managed spacing and instructed preceding aircraft to maintain speed to minimise further delays.

The A380 was subsequently cleared for a visual approach to runway 28L. Despite minor speed adjustments during final sequencing, the aircraft maintained a stable approach profile and landed safely at approximately 03:55 UTC, around ten minutes after the minimum fuel threshold was communicated.

After touchdown, the aircraft vacated the runway normally and taxied to its assigned gate under ground control instructions. There were no reports of injuries, technical issues, or damage to the aircraft, and normal airport operations resumed shortly thereafter.

The event highlights effective coordination between flight crew and air traffic control during a high-traffic disruption at a major international hub. Clear communication of fuel status allowed controllers to prioritise the aircraft without escalating the situation into a fuel emergency.

Minimum fuel advisories are a routine but critical part of airline operations, particularly for long-haul widebody aircraft operating into busy airports where holding delays can quickly erode fuel margins. The safe outcome of the incident underscores the importance of disciplined fuel management, timely communication, and proactive air traffic control intervention.

ATC and Pilot Comms

Here’s a detailed transcription of the conversation between British Airways pilots and San Francisco ATC as flagged by YouCanSeeATC and recorded by LiveATC.net:

Speedbird 28K:
NorCal, Speedbird 28K, for your information, we will be minimum fuel in about four to five minutes. Ideally, we would like to take the approach after LOSSET, but four to five minutes is our limit.
ATC:
Speedbird 28K, understood.
Speedbird 28K:
We are hearing traffic heading in now, assuming it is San Francisco-related. We are standing by.
ATC:
Speedbird 28K, roger.
ATC:
Speedbird 28K, confirming you are expecting runway 28. Be advised, runway 28R will be closed for a while.
Speedbird 28K:
Negative, we can accept 28L, no issue. Speedbird 28K.
ATC:
Speedbird 28K, cleared to San Francisco Airport via LOSSET on the Big Sur Four arrival. Maintain One One thousand.
Speedbird 28K:
Cleared San Francisco via LOSSET, Big Sur Four, maintain one one thousand. Speedbird 28K, thank you.
ATC:
Speedbird 28K, contact NorCal Approach on 133.95.
Speedbird 28K:
133.95, Speedbird 28K, thanks for the help.
NorCal Approach:
Speedbird 28K, fly heading 310, maintain one eight zero knots or greater.
Speedbird 28K:
Left heading 310, maintaining one eight zero knots. Speedbird 28K.
Tower Frequency
Tower:
N208Q, San Francisco Tower, runway 28L, cleared to land. Wind calm. You are following a heavy Airbus.
N208Q:
Cleared to land 28L, we have the heavy in sight. N208Q.
Approach:
Speedbird 28K, Super, fly heading 300. Cleared visual approach runway 28L.
Speedbird 28K:
Heading 300, cleared visual 28L. Speedbird 28K.
Tower to N208Q:
N208Q, I know you are following a heavy. If able, keep your speed up. There is a Super behind you with minimal fuel.
N208Q:
Roger, we will keep the speed up as best we can. N208Q.
Approach:
Speedbird 28K, Super, reduce speed to one seven zero knots or less. Contact San Francisco Tower.
Speedbird 28K:
One seven zero knots or less. Switching Tower. Speedbird 28K.
Tower:
Speedbird 28K, Super, San Francisco Tower. Wind calm. Runway 28L, cleared to land.
Speedbird 28K:
Cleared to land runway 28L. Speedbird 28K.
Tower:
Speedbird 28K, if able, reduce speed slightly. You are overtaking traffic ahead.
Speedbird 28K:
We are managing speed carefully due to fuel, but we will reduce as able. Speedbird 28K.
Tower:
Speedbird 28K, Super, turn left when able. Join Bravo, then taxi to point eight. Good evening.
Speedbird 28K:
Left turn, join Bravo to point eight. Speedbird 28K, thank you.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationa2z.com, LiveATC.net