By Stuart Condie


SYDNEY--New Zealand travel-related stocks lost ground Wednesday after a shipment of sub par jet fuel raised concerns about supply leading up to the country's key holiday period.

Routine testing of a fuel shipment raised quality concerns, New Zealand's business ministry said. Suppliers Exxon Mobil Corp., BP Plc and Ampol Ltd.-owned Z Energy Ltd. said in a joint statement that fuel for airport customers would likely be rationed until Dec. 18, when the next shipment is expected to be made available.

Shares of Auckland International Airport Ltd., Air New Zealand Ltd. and vehicle-rental firm Tourism Holdings Ltd. shed between 0.5% and 2.5%, helping pull the benchmark NZX-50 index down by 0.2%.

"Fuel suppliers BP, Mobil and Z are working individually with their customers to determine the level of rationing in place," Z Energy spokesperson Kiri Shannon said.

Air New Zealand, the country's national carrier, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Sometimes fuel does fail a quality test and suppliers are normally able to manage such events without consumers being affected," said Paul Stocks, deputy secretary, building, resources and markets, at New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

"Work is underway to understand the potential impact on airlines and air travel, if any," Mr. Stocks added.

The next shipment of jet fuel is due to arrive in New Zealand on Dec. 12, Mr. Stocks said. There was no impact on gasoline or diesel supply, he added.


Write to Stuart Condie at stuart.condie@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-07-22 0104ET