Air BP purchases SFR Aviation fuel business to expand in Scandinavia

Thursday 31st July 2014

Air BP today announced its agreement to purchase the aviation fuel business, Statoil Fuel & Retail Aviation AS (SFR Aviation), from Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The deal will add around 73 new airports in the Nordic countries and Northern Europe to Air BP's 600-strong global fuels network. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close by the end of 2014. On completion around 59 SFR Aviation employees, currently based in Norway, Sweden and Denmark are expected to join Air BP.

David Gilmour, chief executive of Air BP, said: "Bringing SFR Aviation's business into our own strengthens our position in Scandinavia which is an attractive region for the aviation industry, especially in the general aviation market. This deal will grow BP's airport coverage, as well as introduce us to new customers, and give us access to SFR Aviation's quality infrastructure and operations. It complements our existing presence in the region and will allow us to expand where we see long term prospects."

The acquisition gives Air BP presence in new locations, particularly in Norway, and a strong position in the general aviation customer segment.

"As a competitive, leading supplier in the region we'll be offering our new commercial airline, general aviation and military customers Air BP's full range of services including security of supply, product quality assurance, our technical services offer, and 24/7 customer support," said Gilmour.

The acquisition brings Air BP a network of quality locations, high operating standards, new supply and sales agreements including some military contracts, a fleet of refuelling vehicles, and storage and distribution infrastructure.

Air BP and SFR

SFR is selling its aviation fuel business, comprising supply at 79 airports across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Finland, Netherlands and Germany, plus interests at 3 airports in the UK & Belgium.

Air BP, the aviation division of BP, is one of the world's largest suppliers of aviation fuel products and services with over 1,100 employees. It currently supplies over seven and a half billion (US) gallons of jet kerosene and aviation gasoline to its customers across the globe each year.

Through its direct operations, Air BP fuels more than 6,400 flights every day - that's one every 15 seconds. The company operates at more than 600 locations in over 45 countries serving customers including the private pilot, military aircraft, business and private aircraft owners, commercial airlines in addition to international airports and airfield operators.

General Aviation is the civil aviation industry other than commercial airlines - business jets, emergency services, flying schools, offshore industry helicopters, small airfields, private pilots, etc. It is a fast growing sector in all regions of the world.