OREANDA-NEWS.  Gazpromneft-Aero, operator of the Gazprom Neft aviation fuels business, has begun supplying aviation fuels for aircraft refuelling at Kaluga International Airport. Refuelling operations at Kaluga are being undertaken in conjunction with Aviaservis. On that basis, the Gazpromneft-Aero refuelling network in Russia is now increased to 19 airports, throughout the country’s most important cities: Moscow, St Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk and others.

Operating the largest number of refuelling complexes in Russia to have been awarded the highest status by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) — at Tolmachevo, Murmansk, Pulkovo, Tomsk, Sheremetyevo, Bryansk, Ulyanovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovo, Orsk and Omsk — the company’s refuelling complex at Tolmachevo airport, Novosibirsk, is one of only four such facilities worldwide (and the only such facilities in Eastern Europe) certified to conduct IATA training in aviation refuelling. Company policy on technology, developed in line with domestic and international regulation on fuel storage and aviation refuelling, has been implemented throughout all Gazpromneft-Aero refuelling facilities.

Gazpromneft-Aero CEO Vladimir Egorov commented: “The expansion of our refuelling network throughout Russia’s regions is a strategic objective for Gazpromneft-Aero. We see considerable potential for growth in passenger traffic at Kaluga International Airport and are looking to expand collaboration with Russian and international air carriers here, delivering services matching the market leaders in the international aviation fuels industry.”

Salavat Kutushev, General Director of Kaluga International Airport, added: “Collaborating with one of Russia’s market leaders in aviation refuelling means Kaluga airport is able to offer a range of high-quality aircraft servicing operations to airlines here, making our airport still more attractive to new partners — something which will allow us to further extend the route network from Kaluga airport, in the future.”

Gazpromneft-Aero is a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft. The company has been involved in aircraft refuelling and the “wing-tip” supply of aviation fuels since 1st January 2008. Gazpromneft Aero has been an aviation-fuel strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since December 2008. The company leads the Russian aviation fuels market in terms of retail sales volumes. The company’s operational activities are fully compliant with the highest safety standards in fuelling operations — “Green”. The company provides aviation refuelling services at more than 200 airports throughout 60 countries.

Kaluga airport commenced regular passenger services on 16 June 2015. It was awarded the status of an international airport on 18 August 2015, with the Kaluga International Airport receiving its first international flight as early as 4 September 2015 — a Dassault Falcon 7X plane on the Braunschweig (Germany)—Kaluga route, carrying members of the Board of Directors of Volkswagen, arriving in Kaluga on an official visit regarding the opening of a car engine plant in the Kaluga Oblast.