Civil

Aviation fuels

Aviation turbine fuels are used for powering jet and turbo-prop engined aircraft and are not to be confused with Avgas. Outside former communist areas, there are currently two main grades of turbine fuel in use in civil commercial aviation : Jet A-1 and Jet A, both are kerosine type fuels. There is another grade of jet fuel, Jet B which is a wide cut kerosine (a blend of gasoline and kerosine) but it is rarely used except in very cold climates.

Jet A1

Jet A1 is a kerosene grade of fuel suitable for most turbine engined aircraft. It is produced to a stringent internationally agreed standard, has a flash point above 38°C (100°F) and a freeze point maximum of -47°C. It is widely available outside the U.S.A. 

Jet A

Jet A is a similar kerosene type of fuel, produced to an ASTM specification and normally only available in the U.S.A. It has the same flash point as Jet A-1 but a higher freeze point maximum (-40°C). It is supplied against the ASTM D1655 (Jet A) specification.

Jet B

Jet B is a distillate covering the naphtha and kerosine fractions. It can be used as an alternative to Jet A-1 but because it is more difficult to handle (higher flammability), there is only significant demand in very cold climates such as Canada

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Jet A-1 is a kerosene-type aviation fuel used in commercial and military turbine-engine aircraft. It has a high flash point (above 38°C) and a freezing point of -47°C, making it suitable for long-haul international flights and varied climatic conditions.

Jet A-1 is an international standard, particularly outside the U.S. In contrast, Jet A (used mostly in the U.S.) has a higher freezing point (-40°C). JP-8, used by NATO forces, is similar but contains military additives. Jet A-1 is the most widely used fuel in global commercial aviation.

Jet A-1 must meet stringent specifications such as DEF STAN 91-091 (UK Ministry of Defence), ASTM D1655, and IATA guidance. It is tested for density, flash point, freezing point, sulfur content, and thermal stability before delivery.

Jet A-1 can be stored for extended periods if kept under proper conditions—cool, dry, and in clean, sealed tanks. However, over time it can degrade due to microbial growth or contamination, so regular quality checks are essential for long-term storage.

Supply Chain Partners represents a Geneva-based commodities trading house with direct access  to titleholders of EN590 10ppm, Jet A1 and Crude Oil allocations

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