World Fuel Services Network Ignites International Growth

May 23, 2013
Growth Marked by Service Offering Expanding in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.

Geneva, Switzerland (May 23, 2013) – World Fuel Services Network has shown significant growth in the international business & general aviation market thus far in 2013. The growth is attributed to expanded service offerings throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. These accomplishments are a direct result of the growth in fuel supply to European locations and the success of World Fuel Services’ contract fuel program along with the steady expansion of the Ascent global fuel brand and the Air Elite Network – a global network of uniquely exceptional FBOs.

In April 2013, World Fuel Services Network was proud to begin serving three of the eight FBO locations operated by Italian-based Sky Services S.p.A. (www.skyservices.it). The Sky Services Venice – Tessera (LIPZ), Verona – Villafranca (LIPX), and Treviso – Canova (LIPH) locations are all currently supplied fuel through the World Fuel Services Network. The company has a notably strong presence in Italy. In addition to their FBO locations, Sky Services offers catering through Sky Cuisine, brokerage, credit facilities and supervision at all Italian airports.

In addition to the expansion of the FBO network, World Fuel Services is seeing great successes and growth in the international presence of their contract fuel program. Currently, World Fuel Services supplies contract fuel to over 1,700 business & general aviation locations worldwide in over 198 countries.

A contributing factor to the growth of the World Fuel Services Network is the Ascent global fuel brand’s launch in the last quarter of 2012. To date, over 65 FBOs have been branded Ascent with close to 100 expected to represent the brand by the end of 2013.

St. Thomas Jet Center located at Cyril E. King Airport (KSTT) in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands became the first international location to be branded Ascent. This FBO also carries the Air Elite service designation which has shown tremendous international growth highlighted by the announcement of Business Aviation Centre Cologne’s (Cologne, Germany) and Harrods Aviation’s (London, United Kingdom) as the most recent international additions to the Air Elite Network.

A new FBO will be opening in the southern hemisphere with the much anticipated opening of Ecuacentair FBO in South America at the newly opened Mariscal Sucre International Airport (SEQM) in Quito, Ecuador. The full-service FBO will become part of the World Fuel Services Network and will offer business aviation clientele all of the services and amenities they’ve come to expect from a modern FBO. The facility is expected to have its grand opening in July 2013.
The World Fuel Services Network of FBOs encompasses both Ascent and Phillips 66 branded FBOs worldwide. Strong product and branded service offerings coupled with ambitious sales and marketing goals has ignited growth to the Network and poised it for continued expansion in 2013.

About World Fuel Services Network

The World Fuel Services Network is a network of branded FBOs which provide quality fuel, personal service and experienced support. The global network includes FBOs under the Phillips 66 and Ascent fuel brands along with Air Elite service designation.

About World Fuel Services Corporation

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, World Fuel Services is a leading global fuel logistics company, principally engaged in the marketing, sale and distribution of aviation, marine and land fuel products and related services on a worldwide basis. World Fuel Services sells fuel and delivers services to its clients at more than 8,000 locations in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

The company's global team of market makers provides deep domain expertise in all aspects of aviation, marine and land fuel management. Aviation customers include commercial airlines, cargo carriers, private aircraft and fixed base operators (FBOs), as well as the United States and foreign governments. World Fuel Services' marine customers include international container and tanker fleets, cruise lines and time-charter operators, as well as the United States and foreign governments. Land customers include petroleum distributors, retail petroleum operators, and industrial, commercial, and government accounts. The company also offers transaction management services which consist of card payment solutions and merchant processing services to customers in the aviation, marine and land transportation industries. For more information, call 305-428-8000 or visit www.wfscorp.com.