Aviation fuel is one of the most important milestones in the air transport sector, as it accounts for approximately about 40% of total airline costs.

The cost of aviation fuel is mainly borne by airlines through the provision of services and undoubtedly falls on airline ticket prices. 

But how does this administrative process between suppliers, airports, and airlines work?

The sale of aviation fuel is one of the few sectors that have not yet a technological transformation process. At present, manual work is predominant, and it works in this way:

All flights register their flight plans and the planning is announced through the FIDS systems. 

Each airline per airport has a fuel supplier (in case the airport has more than one supplier). In this way, when the plane reaches the ground, an operator approaches the aircraft, where not only the fuel requirement is checked, but also any other maintenance required by the aircraft, to give way for the operator to fill out a form and authorize the loading of fuel. 

Finally, this operator must take this information to the administrative offices so that the necessary documentation for billing is processed and issued, and thus the process is repeated over and over again with each aircraft operating at the airport.

With all the technology currently available, there is a significant modernization opportunity for this sector. We can even refer to the development of technology such as Fuel AIMS, specifically designed to facilitate fuel sales processes, and help reduce administrative procedures, reducing human transcription errors and allowing faster processing of receipts and invoicing in real-time.

This type of software permits merchants to offer their fueling services, and keep fuel prices updated according to type and category. So, each airline is free to choose the one that best suits its needs.

The penetration of this type of technology in the air transport sector is very close to happening, as the immediacy, efficiency, and support they provide is undoubtedly the next step.

If you want to know more about GP Nauticals and the products it offers you can visit our dedicated AIMS SUITE section and contact us.