A Yellowknife MLA says a shortage of jet fuel at the local airport may create an urgent situation over the weekend.

While flights at the Yellowknife airport are still departing and landing as usual, at least one airline has told Great Slave MLA Bill Braden that it has rationed jet fuel from the usual 24,000 litres a day to about 7,600 litres, Braden said during question period on Friday.

"I'm advised that one of the two fuel suppliers at the Yellowknife airport will be dry by Sunday morning," Braden said. "In fact, some companies are using their own fuel caches owned by their own customers to try and stay flying."

However, a resupply of jet fuel is waiting on the other side of the Mackenzie River. Transportation Minister Kevin Menicoche said that fuel should arrive on Monday, when he predicts the ferry service season will begin at Fort Providence.

If not, planes will be diverted to Hay River for refuelling, he said.