Key Takeaways
- A quality certificate on paper isn’t the same as quality fuel on the wing. Check which standard governs it (ASTM D1655, DEF STAN 91-91) and who independently audits the supplier (JIG, IATA’s IFQP).
- Into-plane agreements, fuel release orders, and credit terms are the contract details that separate a dependable B2B supplier relationship from a one-off spot purchase.
- Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub means network reach across multiple airports and regions matters as much as price for fleet and charter operators.
- Aviation Solutions has supplied Jet A-1 and TS1 aviation fuel since 2009, to ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91-91 specifications, with 24/7 emergency response.
Sourcing aviation fuel for a fleet isn’t a one-time purchase decision, it’s a supplier relationship that has to hold up at 3am when an aircraft needs fuel before a delayed departure. For a B2B operator, that means the decision comes down to fewer, harder questions than price alone: what standard governs the fuel, who’s checked the supplier’s storage and handling, and what’s actually written into the contract for the day something goes wrong.
This guide covers what “aviation fuel supply” actually means for a commercial buyer, the quality standards worth checking before you sign anything, and what belongs in the contract itself.
What Counts as “Aviation Fuel Supply” for a B2B Operator?
Aviation fuel supply covers three related but distinct services, and knowing which one you’re buying changes what you should be asking. Into-plane fueling is delivery directly to the aircraft at a specific airport, typically through a local fueling agent under contract. Ex-tank or depot supply is fuel uplifted from a storage terminal, more relevant for operators managing their own fueling logistics. Contract fuel programs sit above both: a standing agreement covering multiple airports or regions, with pre-negotiated pricing and terms, built for operators who fly the same routes repeatedly rather than buying fuel airport by airport.
Most commercial and charter operators end up needing some mix of the three, into-plane at home base, contract coverage across the destinations they fly regularly, and the ability to arrange ad hoc supply anywhere else. A private jet operator flying fixed routes benefits most from a contract fuel program with locked-in pricing; a charter operator with unpredictable destinations needs a supplier with broad into-plane reach instead, even at a smaller volume discount.
The Quality Standards Behind Every Liter
Jet A-1, the standard grade for commercial turbine aircraft outside North America, is defined by two overlapping specifications: ASTM D1655, the Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels maintained by ASTM International, and DEF STAN 91-91, the UK Ministry of Defence standard, which sets a maximum freeze point of -47°C for Jet A-1, tighter than some regional variants. TS-1 is a separate grade, defined under the Russian GOST 10227 standard, used across CIS airports and increasingly relevant for operators flying routes through that region. A supplier who can’t state which specification a given batch meets, and produce the certificate to prove it, isn’t one to base a fleet’s fuel supply on.
Certification against a spec is the baseline, not the whole picture. The Joint Inspection Group (JIG) sets the operating standards most of the industry actually audits against: JIG 1 for into-plane fueling services, JIG 2 for airport depots, and JIG 4 for smaller airports, each enforced through annual inspections by trained JIG auditors. On top of that, the IATA Fuel Quality Pool (IFQP) lets member airlines share fuel-facility inspection reports across locations worldwide, using a standardized checklist built on JIG’s own guidelines, so a facility inspected for one airline doesn’t need re-inspecting for the next.
What Belongs in a B2B Fuel Supply Contract
Price per liter is the easiest term to compare and the least useful one on its own. Before signing, confirm these five things in writing:
- Current JIG or IFQP audit status. Ask for the date of the last inspection, not just a claim of compliance.
- The specification certificate for each batch. ASTM D1655, DEF STAN 91-91, or GOST 10227 for TS-1, tied to the actual fuel being delivered, not a generic company statement.
- A named emergency contact and stated response time. “24/7 support” means little without a number attached to how fast that support actually responds.
- Credit terms in writing. Whether the arrangement is prepayment, credit account, or a letter of credit affects cash flow planning as much as the fuel price does.
- Confirmed coverage at the airports you actually use. A global network claim is only useful if it includes your specific routes, not just a regional footprint.
Why Network Reach Matters for UAE-Based Operators
Dubai’s position as a connecting hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa means UAE-based operators rarely fly a single-region pattern. A supplier with reach limited to the Gulf works fine for local charter work, but falls short for an operator flying into Europe, the CIS region, or further afield on a regular basis. Coverage across the Middle East, Europe, CIS, Americas, and Asia, paired with round-the-clock emergency response, is what lets an operator standardize on one supplier relationship instead of arranging ad hoc fuel at every new destination.
Pricing still matters, it just isn’t the whole comparison. Global average Jet A-1 price sat at roughly $1.08 per liter as of September 2026, per the benchmark used in our operator fuel cost breakdown, though actual pricing varies by airport, volume, and contract terms. A supplier quoting meaningfully below that benchmark is worth a second look at what’s being cut to hit the number, storage standards, testing frequency, or emergency coverage.
Aviation Solutions’ Fuel Supply Program
Aviation Solutions has supplied Jet A-1 and TS1 aviation fuel since 2009, certified to ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91-91 specifications, with coverage across the Middle East, Europe, CIS, Americas, and Asia and 24/7 emergency response capability. Contracts are structured around each operator’s actual routes and volumes rather than a fixed package, with rigorous laboratory testing behind every delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Jet A-1 and TS-1 fuel?
Jet A-1 is specified under ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91-91, used across most of the world outside the CIS region. TS-1 is specified under the Russian GOST 10227 standard and used across CIS airports. An operator flying routes through both regions typically needs a supplier certified for each.
What is a fuel release certificate?
A fuel release certificate confirms which specification a specific batch of fuel meets, issued at the point of delivery. It’s the document that ties the fuel actually loaded onto an aircraft back to a verifiable quality standard.
What is the IATA Fuel Quality Pool (IFQP)?
The IFQP is an IATA-managed program where member airlines share fuel-facility inspection reports, using a standardized checklist based on Joint Inspection Group guidelines. It reduces duplicate inspections at the same facility while keeping quality oversight consistent across the industry.
Does Aviation Solutions supply fuel outside the UAE?
Yes. Aviation Solutions supplies Jet A-1 and TS1 fuel across the Middle East, Europe, CIS, Americas, and Asia, alongside its UAE operations based in Dubai.
Buying sustainable aviation fuel in the UAE is a separate question from conventional supply. See our guide to sustainable aviation fuel in the UAE for the policy, projects and buyers.