air bp gets a380 off the ground at dubai air show

Published November 13th, 2007 - 10:38 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

air bp gets a380 off the ground at dubai air show

Air BP in exclusive fueling partnership with Airbus A380

Air BP, a leading aviation fuel supplier, is keeping the biggest plane in the world flying with its exclusive fueling agreement with Airbus for its A380 superliner during the Dubai airshow.  Air BP is providing fuel, lubricant and support services to a number of airlines present at the event, and was selected by Airbus for the world’s most high profile airliner.

Last month Air BP broke the Dubai airport refueling record when its team refuelled an Airbus A380 before its long haul flight between the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France and Melbourne in Australia.  The Air BP team uplifted a staggering 219,921 litres of fuel beating the previous 2004 record for a single-aircraft of 213,604 Litres.  In order to refuel the aircraft on time, two fuel dispensers were used simultaneously, without interruption, each taking a fueling time of 53 minutes.

“Air BP champions the latest in aviation fuel technology and is an industry leader.  We work to produce the most efficient, safe and clean fuel and lubricants as possible so that our aviation customers can be confident in their fleets’ performance.  Air BP is proud to be the exclusive supplier of aviation fuel, lubricants and services to the Airbus A380,” commented Thorsten Luft, General Manager Middle East Businesses, Air BP.

A key participant at Dubai 2007, Air BP is hosting its international and regional customers and stakeholders at its Chalet, many of whom travelled from around the world to be in Dubai.  Rita Griffin, CEO, Air BP, who has more than 20 years experience with BP, travelled from her headquarters in London to make her first visit to the event.  She was joined by a number of Air BP and BP executives including AbdulKarim Ahmed Al Mazmi, President, BP Middle East and Thorsten Luft.

Air BP is taking the opportunity to unveil, for the first time in the Middle East, its emission-free Environmentally Friendly Refueling vehicle, an electric battery powered vehicle designed with the latest technology which means a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions and a reduction of approximately one tonne of fluid wastes like engine oils and coolants.  Air BP is also showcasing its latest exhibition stand and is sponsoring the Visitors Registration Area.

Air BP has long established relations with the Middle East aviation industry.  It has had a presence in Sharjah since 1932 and in Dubai since the 1960s.  It provides fuel, lubricants and services to the region’s leading airlines including Emirates, Air Arabia and Gulf Air, delivering across the region more than 400 million US gallons of fuel annually.  Air BP works closely with the industry and the Dubai airport to champion safety initiatives.