What does a pilot mean when declaring minimum fuel?

When a pilot declares minimum fuel, it indicates that they cannot accept any undue delay upon reaching their destination. This declaration serves as a caution to air traffic control that their fuel levels are low enough that any significant delays could lead to a critical situation. The pilot is essentially alerting controllers to prioritize their landing to avoid potential emergency scenarios related to fuel depletion.

While the declaration suggests urgency, it doesn't explicitly mean that the pilot requires immediate landing or is in an emergency situation, which is why the interpretation of the declaration is specifically about minimizing delays to ensure they reach their destination safely. This distinction is important for both pilots and air traffic control personnel to understand, as it facilitates effective communication regarding fuel status without immediately escalating the situation to an emergency landing context.