OREANDA-NEWS. Gazpromneft-Aero, operator of the Gazprom Neft aviation refuelling business, has begun supplying aviation fuel and providing “wing-tip” aviation refuelling services to aircraft at Saransk Airport.

The Republic of Mordovia’s capital city currently offers regular flights from Moscow’s Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports. Following a large-scale reconstruction of the runway, currently ongoing, and construction of a new terminal for the 2018 World Cup, the airport will be able to accept Airbus A320, Boeing 717-800 and Boeing 767 aircraft, as well as 300 passengers per hour. The airport plans a two-fold increase in passenger traffic over the next three years, to 100,000 per year, as a result of offering new flights to St Petersburg, Samara, Sochi, Anapa and Simferopol.

Gazpromneft-Aero CEO Vladimir Egorov commented: “We see considerable potential in growing passenger traffic at Saransk Airport, and are keen to develop collaboration with Russian and international air carriers here, offering services to match those of the aviation industry’s market leaders. Expanding our refuelling network in Russia and abroad is a key strategic objective for Gazpromneft-Aero. We operate a single, comprehensive technical policy across all the airports at which we operate, developed in line with domestic and international requirements in fuel storage and aircraft refuelling.”

Head of the Republic of Mordovia Vladimir Volkov added: “Collaboration with Gazprom Neft is very important to us, particularly in terms of ensuring uninterrupted air transport from Saransk Airport, as well as quality aviation fuels incorporating the latest technical developments — something that is increasingly pertinent in view of the World Cup matches to be held in Saransk in 2018. Our job is to manage this event as effectively as possible, but no less important for the Republic is the opportunity to service aircraft to international standards not just during the 2018 World Cup but in the long term.”