Lukoil and TNK-BP ready to compete in refueling operations at Koltsovo Airport
YEKATERINBURG. July 3 (Interfax) - Oil company Lukoil is ready to take part in the creation of an alternative wing fueling operation at Yekaterinburg-based Koltsovo Airport, the company's president, Vagit Alekperov, told journalists on Tuesday in Yekaterinburg.
"We plan for active involvement, such as the development of a new wing-fueling complex at Yekaterinburg's airport," he said.
"I believe that if the documents are developed, construction would take a year," Alekperov said. He did not specify total funds that might be invested in this project.
CJSC Fueling Company Koltsovo (part of TNK-BP ) has operations at the airport. Lukoil-Aero is a major supplier of aircraft fuel to the airport.
TNK-BP's vice-president for marketing and new business development, Dmitry Ustinov, told Interfax: "We are prepared for the arrival of competitors at airports where we have a presence. We've been and are in favor of healthy competition. Stability on the aviation fuel market largely depends on the development of real market mechanisms".
The Koltsovo fueling operation was spun off from the airport into a subsidiary in January 2010 and holds the fueling monopoly there. TNK-BP Holding acquired 100% in the fueling assets in March 2012.