Moldovan co aims to replace Lukoil as main fuel supplier at Chisinau airport

CHISINAU. Nov 17 (Interfax) - Moldova's Executive JETZ Handling, which provides ground services for aircraft at the Chisinau International Airport, wants to replace Lukoil Moldova S.R.L. as the main supplier of jet fuel at the airport, Moldovan media reported on Friday, citing representatives of the company.

Executive JETZ Handling has submitted an application to the council that reviews investments important for national security, which is headed by Moldova's prime minister. A decision from the council is needed before the company submits paperwork to Moldova's civil aviation authority to be certified to fuel aircraft.

The handling company has been working at the Chisinau airport for more than two years and in November 2024 it successfully underwent certification to European standards. The company now provides parking services at the airport, and services and fuels small airplanes, including private and training planes. It owns two fueling trucks with combined capacity of 20 tonnes and imports Avgas 100LL fuel used for small planes from Poland.

Executive JETZ Handling plans to import Jet A1 aviation fuel for commercial aircraft from foreign oil refineries, including in Romania. A certificate from the civil aviation authority is needed to purchase and use this type of fuel.

The United States has imposed sanctions against Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft that go into effect on November 21. This could cause problems with aircraft fueling at the Chisinau airport, as Lukoil Moldova has a monopoly on fuel services for commercial flights there. It is the only company with fueling trucks that provide jet fuel to aircraft at the airport.

The Moldovan government is holding talks with Lukoil Moldova to buy the company's jet fuel tanks at the airport.