OREANDA-NEWS. Gazpromneft-Aero, the aircraft refuelling business operator of Gazprom Neft, has increased sales volumes of aviation fuels by 19 percent in the first six months of 2014, up 19 million tonnes on the same period last year. "Wing-tip" refuelling sales, at more than 1.3 million tonnes, are up 29 percent year-on-year.

International sales in the first half of 2014 reached more than 150,000 tonnes, exceeding 2013 levels by a half. The company's geographic range beyond the Russian Federation also increased, from 125 airports to 135, throughout more than 40 countries - an achievement made possible by the company's strategy of establishing partnerships with leading fuel suppliers to local markets.

Gazpromneft-Aero currently operates the leading domestic sales network in Russia, comprising 39 directly-owned refuelling complexes, operating throughout 46 Russian airports.

Gazpromneft-Aero General Director Vladimir Egorov commented: "Geographical range and quality of service - to the highest industry standards - are what gives Gazpromneft-Aero its competitive advantage, giving us a commanding lead in the Russian aviation fuels sector. We plan to continue the implementation of international refuelling technologies throughout our refuelling complexes in the longer term, as well as significantly increasing investment in their supporting infrastructure. To that end we will, already, have invested around RUB7 billion by the end of 2014 - some two and a half times more than last year. High fuel quality - and high-quality services in refuelling, as well as cutting-edge infrastructure and closer cooperation with leading carriers and airports, will allow Gazpromneft-Aero to meet one of the company's strategic objectives - that of becoming a world leader in aircraft refuelling by 2025."