Shell Aviation is expanding its services throughout Europe, with plans to increase acceptance and use of its fuel and lubricant payment card. The card was launched in the US in 2003, which was followed by the UK and Finland. Shell will launch the service in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Holland later this year.

“Starting off in the US, we grew very quickly,” said Isabella Olthof, Shell’s European general aviation manager, “and Europe is the second biggest GA market. In Europe, the FBOs are consolidating but the number of FBO locations is going up. The US model is the FBO system, which has never truly been the case in Europe, so there is a huge growth potential for this in Europe, and the card gives us the potential to partner with more bases.”

The company chose to launch the payment card in the UK initially, as it is one of the biggest GA markets in Europe. Finland was selected for the launch because it is a country where remote fuelling is prevalent and Shell wanted to ensure that its cards would be accepted at unmanned stations.

The card will enable operators to purchase fuel and lubricants, using automatic online authorisation and invoicing – enabling clients to monitor their payments online using a pin code protected system

“We’ve chosen to go for the countries where we already have a well established market and can gain critical mass very quickly,” commented Olthof.

Detailing the development of the services, she said: “For the most part, FBOs have started as handlers or caterers, and the area of competence that they never had was fuelling.

“As a location grows, a dedicated GA area will become economically possible. Shell recognised that we can supply the fuel to the GA area, offering anything from fixed facilities to fuel trucks. Together with our new card offer, we can provide excellent network coverage and service to the GA customers.”