Exolum inaugurates the expansion of its facility to improve fuel supply at Zaragoza Airport

The company has invested 5 million euros in the extension of the airport facility with three new storage tanks and a direct connection by pipeline for fuel supply

The renovation will make it possible to provide a better service to the various operators at Zaragoza Airport and maximise efficiency reducing CO2 emissions and tanker traffic

Earlier today, Exolum inaugurated the extension of its aviation fuel storage and distribution facility at Zaragoza Airport, as well as the connection of this facility to the company’s pipeline network.

The construction of this new facility represents an investment of 5 million euros and will make it possible to provide a better service while maximising efficiency and meeting increased demand over the coming years with greater flexibility thanks to the increase in storage capacity.

For its part, the direct connection to the pipeline network will reinforce the security of supply and will lead to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as eliminating the need to transport fuels by road to supply the airport.

Zaragoza Airport is one of Spain’s largest cargo airports and a hub for large, long-haul aircraft. In 2021, Exolum supplied more than 125,000 cubic metres of fuel to the different operators at Zaragoza Airport.

With this extension, the facility will have a total of 3 supply tanks and a storage capacity for aviation kerosene (JET A-1) of 1,200 cubic metres. In addition, a new road tanker unloading area for the receipt of external products, four automated road tanker loading racks (three for JET A-1 and one for AVGAS), a new parking area with capacity for ten into-plane fuelling vehicles and new roads have been put in place.

Moreover, the fuel terminal is connected to the La Muela – Zaragoza pipeline by a 400-metre, six-inch-diameter connecting branch and all its auxiliary installations. The facilities also have a multipurpose building with dedicated rooms for fire protection systems, electrical equipment, a control room from which to manage and supervise all the plant’s equipment and systems, and changing rooms.

The facility is also fitted out with state-of-the-art safety and environmental protection systems, including: a fire protection system with a water tank and pumps, pipe systems and motorised valves for maximum automation, a new hydrocarbon water treatment unit and new flushing systems for both product certification and quality control.

The renovation project took into account the most exacting standards laid down in regulations governing the handling and storage of aviation fuels, in addition to those of the main international bodies that monitor compliance with the strictest recommendations in relation to aviation product control, such as the Energy Institute (EI) and the Joint Inspection Group (JIG).

Exolum is Europe’s leading logistics company for liquid products and one of the largest in the world. In the aviation sector, Exolum manages all types of fuel storage and distribution infrastructures, both on and off airport sites, including hydrant networks. It also provides into-plane fuelling and other specialised services.

Exolum is an IATA Strategic Partner and member of the Joint Inspection Group (JIG). In addition, it is present on several committees and subcommittees of the Energy Institute and is an affiliate member of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) and Airports Council International (ACI).

Exolum operates in nine countries (Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Oman) with a pipeline network of over 6,000 kilometres, 68 storage terminals and 46 airport facilities, and a total storage capacity of more than 11 million cubic metres.