Exolum has officially commenced operations at the aviation fuel storage and distribution facilities, as well as the hydrant network, at Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Portugal. The airport is managed by ANA, part of the VINCI Group. Under the agreement, Exolum will invest more than €4.5 million by 2029 to develop new infrastructure that will increase the facility’s storage capacity to 1,300 cubic metres. The contract has an initial duration of seven years, with an option to extend for an additional two years.
The project encompasses the full operation of the airport’s fuel storage facility, which currently consists of six horizontal tanks, and the management of a hydrant network extending more than one kilometre and featuring 32 fuel supply points. In addition, Exolum will oversee the design and construction of new infrastructure aimed at enhancing storage capacity and improving overall operational efficiency.
Development will take place in several phases and will include the installation of new storage tanks, the gradual modernisation of existing facilities, and the deployment of advanced monitoring and safety systems. Once completed, the investment is expected to increase the airport’s fuel autonomy to five days while also supporting the future implementation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Madeira.
According to Javier Goñi, chief executive officer of Exolum, the addition of Madeira Airport brings the company’s airport portfolio to 50 facilities worldwide. He noted that the milestone strengthens Exolum’s position as a provider of reliable and efficient fuel supply services that meet the highest quality standards, while further expanding its expertise in airport operations across Europe and the Americas. He also highlighted aviation as a strategic growth area for the company.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the reliability of fuel supply at Madeira Airport, improve operational performance, and support anticipated growth in regional air traffic. It also demonstrates Exolum’s capability to deliver complex energy infrastructure projects in strategic locations while tailoring solutions to the specific needs of its clients. The project further reinforces the company’s commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainability in energy logistics and storage.
Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport currently handles more than five million passengers annually and operates over 600 weekly flights, making it one of Portugal’s busiest airports and a key international tourism gateway. Forecasts indicate that annual fuel demand at the airport will reach an average of 120,000 cubic metres by 2030, compared with approximately 105,000 cubic metres distributed in 2025. In Portugal, Exolum also operates fuel infrastructure at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, which welcomed more than 36 million passengers in 2025.
Rui Coutinho, director of Madeira Airport, stated that ANA | VINCI Airports has a responsibility to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and long-term capacity of critical infrastructure. He described the investment as a demonstration of that commitment, strengthening fuel infrastructure to support future growth while maintaining high standards of safety and operational performance.
Exolum strengthens aviation presence
Exolum is Europe’s leading multinational liquid logistics company and one of the world’s foremost operators in the sector. Within aviation, the company develops and manages fuel storage and distribution infrastructure both inside and outside airport premises, including hydrant systems. It also provides aircraft refuelling and specialised logistics services, supporting the industry’s transition towards sustainable aviation fuels.
With the addition of Madeira Airport, Exolum now operates at 50 airports across Europe and Latin America. Its portfolio includes major international hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez, Barcelona-El Prat, Dublin, Lima, and Panama. In the United Kingdom, the company also delivers storage and transportation logistics services to airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Manchester through its pipeline network.
Exolum is a strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and a member of the Joint Inspection Group (JIG). The company also participates in several Energy Institute committees and subcommittees and holds affiliate membership with the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) and Airports Council International (ACI).
For more information visit www.exolum.com
