Shell Aviation's AeroJet fuel, launched in Europe at Rotterdam Airport in September, is now available for business aviation at Stockholm Bromma Airport and Dusseldorf Airport.

The fuel uses the standard Jet-A1 anti-fungal and anti-icing additive, di-ethylmonomethyl (Di-EGME). The difference of the new fuel, Shell Aviation says, is that Di-EGME is supplied to the fuel on arrival by virtue of a special feeder tank on board the delivery vehicle; silica gel keeps the additive from absorbing water from the atmosphere, and the exact make-up of the fuel being delivered can be controlled by gauges on the tanker.

Airport handlers do not need to mix the additive themselves, negating worries about handlers not being aware of how much of the chemical is already in the fuel tank, and putting in more than the maximum 0.15 per cent of the total fuel volume. The fuel system icing inhibitor (FSSI) is also thought to cause cancer: Under Shell Aviation's corporate health and safety policy, fuellers are precluded from handling the additive, leaving pilots to introduce it to their fuel tanks in person with the aid of a spray gun.

Water formation in aircraft fuel tanks can result in a variety of problems including ice, fungal growths, corrosion, interrupted flow of fuel and blockage of fuel filters. Many larger business aircraft have fuel tank warmers, but choose to use an FSSI in case these fail, while for smaller aircraft the additive is essential as the tanks are mostly unheated.

AeroJet has been on offer in South America, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. According to a spokesperson for Shell Aviation, more airports in Europe will be offering the fuel very soon.