Gazprom Neft announced (25-May-2021) its SmartFuel refuelling payment system was approved for full market launch after securing registration on the Russian Government's software register. The company stated SmartFuel is "the world's first blockchain solution for instant aviation 'into-the-wing' refuelling payments". Details include:
- SmartFuel enables pilots and refuelling operators to process refuelling requests, payment and the exchange of accounting documents through mobile applications. Data from SmartFuel is synchronised with the airline's electronic flight bag and the digital aviation fuel accounting system of the fuel trucks. The system is expected to reduce transaction times between jet fuel suppliers and airlines from four or five days to 15 seconds;
- The system was tested by Gazpromneft-Aero for refuelling more than 100 Smartavia flights at Murmansk Airport;
- Gazprom Neft plans to expand SmartFuel to more Russian airports by the end of 2021 and the company also aims to expand internationally;
- VTB and Raiffeisenbank are partners in the project. [more - original PR]