Gazpromneft-Aero, the aviation fuel operator of Gazprom Neft, highlighted the success of its blockchain-based Smart Fuel platform at the MAKS-2021 International Air Show.

The new online digital system, which cuts payment processing time for ‘into the wing’ refuelling from four to five days to just 15 seconds, was showcased at the ‘Keep Trust in Air Travel' round table organized by Airbus to introduce participants to its extensive functionality.

The event was part of the Keep Trust in Air Travel global initiative, aimed at supporting the resumption of international air traffic after the COVID-19 pandemic through the introduction of new security standards and digital services.

Smart Fuel completely eliminates direct contact between the aircraft crew and ground personnel enabling operations to be carried out via applications installed on tablets held by pilots and refuelling operators. 

Dmitry Makarov, the Head of the Smart Fuel Project says: ‘Smart Fuel makes the process of preparing the aircraft for flight as safe and reliable as possible for the crews and ground personnel. Our platform has already been implemented at the international airports of Murmansk, Novosibirsk, and Saratov, where more than 600 flights have been refuelled using the Gazprom Neft blockchain platform. By the end of 2021, we plan to expand the use of Smart Fuel in other Russian airports, which will make air travel even safer and more comfortable.’

Dmitry Gorin, Vice President of the Association of Tour Operators Russia (ATOR) says: ‘The Association of Tour Operators of Russia is convinced that the development of new solutions, digitalisation of travel documents and their approval by regulatory bodies of different countries and international organizations are the most effective way to restore global tourism. Initiatives by aviation companies such as Airbus’s end-to-end risk assessment model developed to calculate the efficacy of the different health measures during travel and the contactless aircraft refuelling solution developed by Gazprom Neft make a major contribution.”