Refinery seals direct aviation fuel supply deal with Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Cheshire oil refinery, Essar Oil (UK) Limited, has struck a deal with Liverpool John Lennon Airport for the direct supply of aviation fuel to commercial airlines using the riverside airport.

Essar owns and operates the Stanlow oil refinery, near Ellesmere Port. It currently has direct supply agreements with carriers at five major airports across the UK – Manchester, Birmingham, London Stansted, Leeds-Bradford and Cardiff.

Its latest access agreement, effective from July 1, 2022, will allow Essar to supply fuel directly to airlines at the wingtip and marks another step in Essar’s growing aviation fuels business, as air travel continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Discussions with other potential partners are already under way as part of Essar’s ambition for further growth in the direct supply sector.

Essar, which supplies 16% of the UK’s road transport fuels, is one of the largest producers of jet fuel in the UK and plays a vital role in the North West’s aviation industry, while Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of the longest established operational airports in the UK, transporting more than five million passengers each year.

The agreement will shore up the airport’s domestic fuel supply, reducing reliance on global supply chains and imports, benefitting from Essar’s continued strategy to bolster energy security in the UK.

Essar is also committed to playing a key role in the decarbonisation of the UK economy, developing the clean, low-carbon energies of the future. As part of that, it is developing plans to produce and supply sustainable jet fuel from Stanlow to airports across the UK from 2026.

The deal follows news that Essar’s domestic sales volumes have risen to a new high since COVID restrictions were lifted, as announced in its quarterly operations and trading update earlier this month.

Adam Brayne, head of aviation and business development at Essar Oil (UK), said: “Essar’s Stanlow refinery has manufactured aviation fuels which have been supplied to Liverpool Airport since the 1930s. It, therefore, seems only fitting that, after close to a century of collaboration and shared history, Essar and Liverpool John Lennon Airport should further strengthen such a key North West regional partnership.

“Over the last decade, we have embarked on a major investment programme to upgrade Essar Stanlow’s infrastructure and future-proof this national manufacturing asset. We are delighted to be supporting such a valued local partner, whilst continuing to play a key role in Britain’s energy security.”

John Irving, Liverpool John Lennon Airport chief executive, said: “The airport has a long standing relationship with the Stanlow refinery which has been further strengthened with Essar joining us in our open access fuel operations.

“The airport has had a successful year in attracting new airlines including Lufthansa and PLAY which has established new routes. We are delighted this agreement provides more fuel choice for our commercial airline partners and we look forward to developing future opportunities.”