The Middle East’s aircraft refuelling business is set for an exponential growth in line with the regional aviation industry’s unprecedented expansion, which registered a record 12 per cent last year. 

The region is also the fastest growing among the 190-odd International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) nations, according to a senior official from leading aviation fuel supplier Air BP.

Rita Griffin, CEO, Air BP, speaking before her first visit to the region for this month’s Dubai Air Show where she will hold a meeting with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and chairman of Emirates Group, said Middle East airports need to forecast future civil aviation trends to plan for the necessary infrastructure to provide a seamless and environmentally friendly service to airlines and passengers alike.  

“The regional airline business is booming and Air BP is at the heart of this growth, applying leading technologies to continue to develop our range of fuels and lubricants to meet our customers’ growing needs.  We work with the latest in aviation and are proud of our association with leading airports, airlines and manufacturers including Airbus and their A380 superliner.  With some three million refuellings a year, we have the capability and the technology to keep the Middle East flying high,” said Griffin.

In addition to visits by Air BP and BP executives which will also include AbdulKarim Ahmed Al Mazmi, president, BP Middle East and Thorsten Luft, Middle East & South Asia asset manager, Air BP is bringing to the event its major customers, partners and stakeholders who will enjoy Air BP hospitality at its newly designed Chalet. 

Air BP will also take the opportunity to unveil for the first time in the Middle East its emission-free Environmentally Friendly Refuelling vehicle, an electric battery powered vehicle designed with the latest technology which means a 100 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and a reduction of approximately one tonne of fluid wastes like engine oils and coolants. 

Air BP has long established relations with the Middle East; the company has been a partner at Dubai International Airport for over four decades and currently serves over 70 customers, including Emirates, delivering more than 210 million US gallons of fuel annually.   To ensure continuity of supply, Air BP invested in a 33.3 per cent share in “Emdad”, a $40 million storage and pipeline facility to supply product from Jebel Ali to Dubai International Airport.

“The Dubai air show is a premier event in the aviation calendar and you will see Air BP staff and equipment everywhere, always ensuring a safe and on time fuelling.  It’s a privilege to work across the region at a time when we can all see the growth in the airline business and feel the impact it has on the economy.  We continue to partner with the aviation industry applying our core values of safety, operations, people and capabilities,” said Thorsten Luft, Middle East & South Asia Asset Manager, Air BP.

In addition to Dubai, Air BP provides fuel, lubricant and support services to Sharjah, where it has had a presence since 1932, and currently has an annual fuel delivery of 80 million US gallons to a number of airlines, its main customer being Air Arabia.  It also has operations and technical support arrangements in Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Oman. - TradeArabia News Service