Air BP

Air BP. It is the aviation fuel and services division of the multinational oil and gas company BP. The business supplies jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and into-plane fuelling services at over 700 global locations, serving major commercial airlines, general aviation, and military aviation customers. With a history tracing back to the early days of powered flight, Air BP is a leading player in the global aviation fuel supply and airfield operations market, operating an extensive network of airports and fixed-base operator facilities.

History

The origins of the business are linked to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which began supplying fuel for early Royal Air Force aircraft after World War I. A significant early milestone was providing fuel for the historic first non-stop transatlantic flight by John Alcock and Arthur Brown in 1919. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company expanded its aviation fuelling network to support the growth of imperial Airways and other pioneering airlines, establishing infrastructure at key airports across the British Empire. During World War II, it became a critical supplier to the Allied forces, supporting operations from the Battle of Britain to campaigns in the Pacific War. Post-war, the division, then known as BP Aviation, grew alongside the jet age, developing specialized fuels for new aircraft like the de Havilland Comet and the Boeing 707.

Operations and services

Air BP's core activity is the supply and distribution of Jet A-1 fuel and Avgas through a vast international supply chain involving refineries, pipelines, storage tanks, and dedicated fuel hydrant systems at major airports. It provides into-plane fuelling services using a fleet of refuelling trucks and operates through a network of company-owned locations and partnerships with fixed-base operators worldwide. Key technical services include fuel testing and quality assurance programs to meet stringent international standards set by bodies like the Joint Inspection Group. The company also offers innovative digital solutions such as BP Fuelcard and the Air BP Sterling Card for streamlined transactions, alongside consulting on fuel efficiency and carbon management for airline clients.

Environmental initiatives

The company has launched several programs aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of aviation. A major focus is the supply and certification of sustainable aviation fuel produced from feedstocks like used cooking oil and agricultural waste, with notable supply agreements at airports including Stockholm Arlanda Airport and San Francisco International Airport. It is actively involved in research and development partnerships, such as with Fulcrum BioEnergy, to advance biofuel production technologies. Air BP also assists customers with carbon offsetting through its partnership with BP Target Neutral and promotes operational efficiencies to lower emissions across the aviation industry, aligning with broader BP goals for a lower carbon future.

Safety record and incidents

Safety is a stated core value, with the company implementing global operating standards and extensive training programs accredited by the International Air Transport Association. However, its operations have been involved in notable incidents. A significant event was the 2005 explosion at the Buncefield oil storage depot in Hertfordshire, which involved a storage tank filled with aviation fuel supplied by the company; the subsequent Buncefield fire was one of the largest in Europe since World War II. Other incidents have included fuel contamination cases, such as a 2018 issue at Zurich Airport that affected several airlines, and various refuelling errors and spills reported at airports worldwide, which are typically investigated by national authorities like the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Corporate structure and branding

The division operates as an integral part of the BP group's Trading & Shipping business segment. Its leadership and strategic direction are set within the broader BP corporate framework, with operations managed through regional offices in key markets like the United States, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The business goes to market under the Air BP brand, utilizing the distinctive BP Helios logo and the BP green colour scheme on its fuelling vehicles and airport infrastructure. It maintains important commercial alliances and joint ventures, such as its long-standing partnership with Air China for fuelling services at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Category:BP Category:Aviation fuel companies Category:Companies established in 1919