OREANDA-NEWS. Gazpromneft Aero, operator of the Gazprom Neft aviation refuelling business, has commissioned a new refuelling complex at Koltsovo International Airport, Ekaterinburg. With the facility having received all licensing and other approvals necessary to fulfil its operational activities at Koltsovo, refuelling of aircraft has now commenced. Total investment in the construction of this cutting-edge refuelling facility stands at more than RUB830 million.

Technology and equipment at the facility is fully automated, and meets all domestic and international standards. Storage facilities include three reservoirs, with a total combined capacity of approximately 9,000 cubic metres. An elevated railway track, with six tank wagons, has been installed to transport fuel within the facility. Fuel will be delivered from the Gazprom Neft Omsk Refinery, meaning airline partners can be offered flexible pricing policies as well as guaranteed fuel volumes. Gazpromneft Aero’s first clients at Koltsovo International Airport include Ural Airlines, Gazprom Avia, Red Wings, I Fly, and RusLine.

Industrial and environmental safety systems have been front of mind in the construction of the new refuelling complex, which is equipped with a range of automatic controls monitoring air-quality for the build-up of combustible gases and fumes, as well as a range of high-pressure fire-fighting hoses and water-storage tanks. Facilities for the collection and treatment of industrial wastewater have also been installed at the Gazpromneft Aero Koltsovo Airport refuelling complex, allowing the removal of mechanical impurities and oil products, consistent with environmental safety regulation.

Vladimir Egorov, CEO, Gazpromneft Aero, commented: “Expanding the business throughout airports in the Urals and Siberia — home to trans-Siberian aviation corridors between Europe and Asia — is a key objective in Gazpromneft Aero’s strategic development. In developing our assets, and in implementing major investment projects such as the construction of the refuelling complex in Ekaterinburg, we are putting in place modern aviation infrastructure designed to ensure aviation companies are offered international service standards.”

Aleksei Piskunov, Executive Director, Koltsovo International Airport, added: “Koltsovo International Airport continues to develop its relationships with aviation-fuel market participants. Thanks to the competitive environment that has grown up around Ekaterinburg airport, aviation companies have the widest possible choice in terms of suppliers and terms. The commissioning of the new Gazprom Neft aviation refuelling complex significantly strengthens our position here.”

Gazpromneft-Aero is a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft. The company has been in business since 1st January 2008, specialising in aircraft refuelling and the “wing-tip” supply of aviation fuels. Gazpromneft Aero has been an aviation-fuel strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since December 2008.

Gazpromneft-Aero holds a leading position in the Russian market in terms of total sales volumes of aviation fuels. The company’s use of technology ensures its full compliance with the highest standards in refuelling operations, i.e. “Green”.