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Gazprom Neft Aircraft Blockchain Platform Enables Instant Refuelling Payment

Gazpromneft Aero, the aviation fuel operator of Gazprom Neft, has successfully completed tests of its Smart Fuel blockchain-based system for digital aviation refuelling which allows instant payments. The platform, which cuts payment processing times from 4-5 days to 15 seconds*, has already been used for more than 100 scheduled flights and Smartavia, VTB Bank and Raiffeisenbank have become partners in the project operating at Murmansk international Airport.

Refuelling requests, payment and the exchange of accounting documents are all carried out via applications installed on tablets held by pilots and refuelling operators. Blockchain technology guarantees transaction data is saved in the system and available to all the participants. Data from the Smart Fuel system is synchronized with an airline’s electronic flight bag and the digital aviation fuel accounting system of fuel trucks ensuring the refuelling and information exchange process is fully automated.

“The development and implementation of digital solutions along the entire value chain is one of our strategic priorities. The application of cutting-edge technologies allows us to increase the efficiency of production and transportation, enhance customer services and guarantee the delivery time of oil products to our customers. The successful integration of blockchain technology into aviation refuelling processes is a key example of our approach. Our new digital Smart Fuel system has facilitated our partners processes and increased the financial security of mutual settlements, which is extremely important in the current macroeconomic conditions. The system has a high potential for scaling up across the entire industry.”

Anatoly Cherner

Anatoly Cherner Deputy CEO for Logistics, Processing and Sales, Gazprom Neft

“This revolutionary approach to aircraft refuelling is particularly important for our airline — it makes the process fast, transparent and up-to-date. The partnership is an excellent example of how the airline is moving forward with the most advanced technologies, confirming its commitment to a smart philosophy, which, in turn, is the cornerstone of our entire business strategy.”

Sergey Savostin

Sergey Savostin Smartavia CEO

“Digitalisation is shaping the future of the global economy. This project is a perfect example of the benefits of combining expert industry knowledge, digital technologies and financial expertise. Having extensive experience in optimizing financial processes and introducing advanced technological solutions in the transaction services market, VTB has implemented a payment module facilitating settlements between the fuel supplier and airlines. Thanks to this, money transfers can be carried out in a matter of seconds. The implementation of this blockchain solution has allowed Gazprom Neft to optimize the mutual settlements system with its customers and will also enable airlines to save money on advance payments in the future.”

Victoria Vanurina

Victoria Vanurina Deputy Chairman of VTB

“We are proud to be amongst the first banks to help Gazpromneft-Aero, a leader in aviation refuelling, to automate payments for jet fuel through distributed ledger technology. We provide integration solutions for any business processes related to blockchain based interactions with the bank. At the same time, employees of our clients can continue to work in a familiar interface such as 1C, Galaxy, SAP or any other ERP system, and do not have to learn how to use new software.”

Evgenia Ovchinnikova

Evgenia Ovchinnikova Head of the Center for Technological Research and Development at Raiffeisenbank:

Notes for editors

Gazpromneft-Aero is the aviation fuel operator of Gazprom Neft. The company has been active in the aviation fuel industry since January 1, 2008, providing aircraft and ‘into the wing’ fuelling services and has been a strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since December 2008.

Gazpromneft-Aero is the leader in the Russian aviation fuel market in terms of retail sales and uses technologies that ensure compliance with the highest status of the safety level of fuel operations: Green.

Airlines and fuel suppliers have to consider uncertainties such as dynamic pricing and unpredictable real fuel consumption leading to financial risks and additional labour costs. Gazpromneft-Aero has set itself the task of fully automating and increasing the transparency of payment for air refuelling using the Smart Fuel system.

Smartavia is the trade mark of Nordavia-Regional Airlines operating scheduled and charter flights in more than 60 airports in Russia and abroad. The airline’s fleet includes 11 Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-700 meeting high technical requirements and international safety standards. In 2020, the airline carried over 1.6 million passengers and is based in Arkhangelsk, St. Petersburg (Pulkovo airport) and Moscow (Domodedovo airport).

Raiffeisenbank is a subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International AG. Raiffeisenbank is one of the most reliable Russian banks providing financial solutions for private and corporate clients, residents and non-residents of the Russian Federation. According to Interfax-CEA, Raiffeisenbank ranks 12th in terms of assets in 1H of 2020, 7th in terms of funds from individuals and 10th in terms of loans to individuals. According to Forbes magazine, Raiffeisenbank was recognized as the most reliable and best bank in Russia in 2020.