It's taken two decades, but Shell Aviation is returning to the
U.S. with a new network of FBOs that will cover the country by
the first half of next year.
Shell has teamed up with Eastern Aviation Fuels to convert virtually
all of its 284 FBOs to Shell-branded outlets. Customers will be
able to buy jet fuel, aviation gasoline and the full range of
AeroShell products. Buddy Stallings, president of Eastern Aviation
said that currently, his company's network was located entirely
east of the Mississippi but that over the next six months it will
expand to reach all over the USA, and so Shell fuels would be
available "everywhere."
Rick Woods, regional vp of Shell Aviation North America, noted
how fitting it was that Shell's expansion should be enabled in
this centenary year by a company that was founded in North Carolina,
so close to the birthplace of aviation. The deal with Eastern
Aviation is described as a long-term agreement that will run for
at least five years.
Alongside this announcement came the news that Shell has launched
a new Shell Aviation card that is valid across its new U.S. network
and also at its 1,000 other outlets in 90 countries around the
globe. The card will allow aviators to purchase Shell fuel, AeroShell
products and any other items stocked by the FBO, along with other
services such as online weather data or hangar spaces. About the
only thing it won't do, says Shell, is let you fill up your car
at the gas station.
