IATA Steps Up Efforts to Improve Quality of Aviation Fuel

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Joint Inspection Group (JIG), and Airlines for America (A4A) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen and promote safety and quality assurance in global aviation fueling activities.

This was aimed at maintaining the quality of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1 that is distributed globally.

“Maintaining the quality of the aviation fuel supply and the supporting infrastructure and operations is vital to the safe and efficient functioning of the air transport industry. This MoU, covering all airport fuel storage and handling, puts forward an industry-level programme for application of standards and a single global reference for airline inspections. This is a great step forward in further promoting global safety and efficiency,” said IATA’s Director for Global Airport Infrastructure and Fuel, Hemant Mistry.

Through the programme IATA, JIG and A4A would seek to encourage the gradual standardisation of aviation fuel processes by facilitating compliance with current industry standards and best practices, and by establishing high quality common inspection processes to ensure that the aviation fuel is delivered clean, dry and on-specification. This is expected to facilitate a reduction in the number of required inspections at a given location, while increasing the scope of coverage across the globe and the reduction of cost.

“JIG’s vision is to work with industry partners to establish and enhance standards for the safe handling and quality control of aviation fuels globally. By partnering with IATA and A4A we will be able to more effectively support the industry by strengthening the implementation of our standards and providing a framework for the development of an industry Quality Assurance Scheme. This will form the foundation of a global inspection process that is supported by airlines,” said Chairman of the JIG Council, John Buxton.