Fuel Supply Solutions for Large Airports: The Beijing Daxing Model
Jun 25, 2026| 1. The Fuel Itself: Why Aviation Kerosene?
Before examining the supply chain, it is essential to understand the product. Large commercial jets (excluding small turboprops) run on aviation kerosene (Jet A/A-1).
Critical properties: It remains fluid and does not freeze at -40°C at cruising altitude. Its low viscosity allows efficient atomization in jet engines.
Trade-offs: It costs 2–3 times more than automotive gasoline but offers far higher energy density – a necessary trade-off for long-haul flight.
For any large airport, the fuel specification is non-negotiable; the entire supply system must be designed around these physical properties.
2. The Supply Chain: From Refinery to Airport Tank
Unlike smaller airports that may rely on truck convoys, large airports demand a dedicated, high-capacity pipeline network to ensure uninterrupted flow.
The Daxing Model – A Dual-Source System:
Daxing is fed by two main sources for redundancy:
Primary source: Tianjin – Fuel originates from the Tianjin Port storage complex (capacity: 1 million m³), traceable to Tianjin Petrochemical.
Secondary source: Hebei – Fuel from Huabei Petrochemical in Renqiu serves as a backup.
The Engineering Backbone – The Jin-Jing No. 2 Pipeline:
This 198 km underground pipeline is the largest civil aviation fuel project under construction in China.
Its annual capacity exceeds 10 million tons – enough to serve Daxing's current traffic and allow future expansion.
Key takeaway for large airports: A pipeline of this scale requires massive upfront investment but eliminates truck traffic, reduces costs per gallon, and ensures weather-independent supply.
3. On-Site Storage and Smart Depot Management
Once fuel arrives, it must be stored and managed intelligently. Daxing's on-site depot features:
Capacity: 324,000 m³ across 8 large tanks, covering 18.9 hectares.
Smart systems: Developed with aerospace technology, the depot integrates automated process control, real-time dispatch, and centralized supervision – aiming for an eventual "unmanned" operation.
For any large airport, depot intelligence is as important as capacity. Automated inventory tracking, quality monitoring, and predictive reordering prevent both shortages and overstocking.
4. Delivering Fuel to the Aircraft: Refueling Methods
The final step – delivering fuel from the depot to the aircraft – is the most visible and operationally critical. Large airports must accommodate a mix of aircraft sizes and turnaround times.
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrant Dispenser | Fuel is pumped from underground hydrants via a truck-mounted dispenser to the aircraft's wing connection. | Fast, high-volume refueling of all mainstream jets (A320, B737, etc.) – the backbone of hub operations. |
| Gravity Refueling | Staff climb onto the wing and pour fuel through a manual hose. | Small aircraft and helicopters – slow but simple. |
| Multi-Point Simultaneous | Multiple dispensers connect to a single large aircraft (e.g., up to 6 for an A380). | Very large aircraft to minimize turnaround time. |
Daxing's approach: Prioritizes hydrant dispensers for speed and safety, with gravity refueling reserved for specialized cases.
5. Safety and Precision: Beyond the Hose
Fuel operations at large airports demand rigorous safety protocols that go far beyond a simple fill-up.
A. Fuel Quantity Calculation
Before departure, the captain calculates trip fuel + alternate airport fuel + at least 45 minutes of contingency reserve. For international routes, this can mean carrying 10+ extra tons.
B. Fuel Dumping (Jettisoning)
In an emergency landing, overweight aircraft may need to dump fuel to reduce landing gear stress. This is done above 800 m altitude over designated, uninhabited areas, where the fuel atomizes and disperses safely.
C. Error-Proofing
Physical: Color-coded nozzles and different diameters prevent diesel from being used.
Electronic: Modern hydrant trucks have electronic locks that block connection if aircraft type and fuel type mismatch.
D. Automation + Human Oversight
Digital preset refueling systems are increasing, but experienced ground crew always monitor manually – a dual-layer safety approach.
6. Case Study in Action: Daxing's International Flight Supply
A specific example highlights the system's adaptability: following a restructuring, Tianjin Petrochemical now supplies all international flight fuel at Daxing, with a monthly volume of about 20,000 tons. This demonstrates how large airports can fine-tune sourcing to meet operational and regulatory needs.
7. Future Trends for Large-Airport Fuel Solutions
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Airlines are testing fuels refined from waste cooking oil and other biomass. Large airports will need to integrate SAF into existing pipeline systems – a future challenge.
Full Automation: Daxing's "unmanned depot" goal points toward fully automated supply chains, reducing human error and labor costs.
Scalability: As traffic grows, pipeline capacity and depot storage must scale accordingly. Daxing's 10-million-ton annual capacity offers a benchmark.
Conclusion: What Makes a Large-Airport Fuel Solution Successful?
The Daxing model illustrates three pillars for any major hub:
Redundant, high-capacity supply (dual sources + mega-pipeline).
Intelligent storage and distribution (smart depots + flexible refueling methods).
Rigorous safety and precision (error-proofing, automated controls, and human oversight).
While the infrastructure may be invisible to passengers, it is the silent engine that enables every safe departure. As airports grow and aviation pursues sustainability, these fuel systems will evolve – but the principles of reliability, safety, and efficiency will remain constant.