Exolum has commenced operations at the aviation fuel storage and distribution facilities and the hydrant network at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Madeira, Portugal, managed by ANA (VINCI Group). The company will invest more than €4.5 million by 2029 in the construction of new infrastructure designed to increase the facility’s storage capacity to 1300 m3. The contract has an initial term of seven years, with the option to extend to nine years.
The scope of the project includes the comprehensive operation of the fuel storage facility (fuel farm), currently comprising six horizontal tanks, as well as the hydrant system, which is over 1 km long and has 32 supply points. Furthermore, Exolum will lead the design and implementation of new infrastructure aimed at increasing storage capacity and improving the facility’s operational efficiency.
The project will be carried out in several phases and will include the construction of new tanks, the progressive modernisation of existing facilities, and the implementation of advanced control and safety systems. This investment will increase the airport’s operational autonomy to five days and will also facilitate the implementation of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Madeira.
In the words of Javier Goñi, CEO of Exolum: “With the addition of Madeira Airport, we are now present at 50 airports, guaranteeing a reliable, efficient supply that meets the highest quality standards. This presence provides us with extensive knowledge and solid experience in airport management across Europe and the Americas. Aviation is a strategic area for our company in which we want to continue growing”.
This initiative will strengthen the reliability of the airport’s fuel supply, improve operational efficiency, and support the expected growth in air traffic in the region. Furthermore, it highlights Exolum’s ability to develop complex energy infrastructure projects in strategic locations, offering solutions tailored to each client’s needs. With this project, Exolum consolidates its commitment to operational excellence, innovation and sustainability in the transport and storage of energy products, strengthening its role as a leading partner in the energy and aviation sectors.
Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport handles over 5 million passengers a year. With more than 600 weekly flights, it is one of Portugal’s busiest airports and a leading global tourist destination. The most recent forecasts estimate that by 2030 it will supply an annual average of 120 000 m3 of fuel, compared to 105 000 m3 distributed in 2025. In Portugal, Exolum also operates Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, which in 2025 exceeded 36 million passengers.
Rui Coutinho, Madeira Airport Director, commented: “At ANA | VINCI Airports, as operators of critical infrastructure, we have a responsibility to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and long-term capacity of our facilities. This investment at Madeira Airport is a clear example of that commitment, reinforcing fuel infrastructure to support the airport’s continued growth while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational performance”.