Initial Focus On Russia And CIS

A trio of established European aviation businesses have come together to create iFuel, a new aviation fuel and associated services provider.  London-based charter broker Open Aero, fuel supplier Jet Aero Fuels (JAF) and Switzerland-based 28 East Group have signed an agreement to form the new company which will support strategic expansion plans for all three businesses.  The deal was ratified at the recent MEBA Show in Dubai in December 2012.

JAF will provide 28 East Group and Open Aero’s clients with competitively priced fuel, together with ground handling services. It is anticipated that savings of up to 28-30% will be available for clients operating within the auspices of the iFuel arrangement. With an initial focus on the CIS region, where the founders all have a strong presence, iFuel will be offering services at most of the CIS airports including Russia’s Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo International Airports, Knevichi Airport, Vladivostok, Boryspil Airport, Kiev, Ukraine and Lochini Airport, Tbilisi, Georgia.

JAF has been providing fuel and aviation services to commercial and military operators since 2006. General Director of JAF, Rinad El-Rabaa will become President of iFuel. Owing to JAF's extensive network of global fuel suppliers from which it sources and sells fuel in bulk iFuel is confident it will be able to compete with established players in the CIS, European and African markets.

The newly formed partnership with 28 East Group and Open Aero will widen the scope of JAF’s services to incorporate a business aviation offering. For 28 East Group and Open Aero the deal will ensure that new and existing clients together with aircraft operators will receive favourably priced fuel and ground handling fees when passing through airports offering iFuel services.

"As fuel is the most significant operational cost of any charter we anticipate that having direct access to aviation gas and premium ground handling services, at beneficial rates, will ensure large jet charters will select iFuel in the future. This deal buoys up 28 East Group’s commitment to providing aviation clients with the best service and pricing possible, and more importantly will open further potential markets for all of the iFuel partners in the CIS region and further afield,” said Erica Da Veiga, partner of 28 East Group.

(Pictured L - R back Luca Madone Partner 28 East Group, Rinad El Rabaa President of iFuel, Jeffrey Emmenis Partner 28 East Group, L to R Front Erica Da Veiga Partner 28 East Group, Tatiana Tektova Owner Open Aero.)

FMI: www.28eastgroup.com, www.jetaerofuels.aero, www.open.aero