A Further Step Toward Sustainable Aviation in Europe: Mönchengladbach Airport Launches Europe’s First Public Refueling Station for Swift 100R
Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL) has taken another step toward greener aviation in Europe by opening the continent’s first public refueling station for the new lead-free aviation fuel Swift 100R yesterday. The innovative fuel is now available for the general aviation sector at MGL as part of an initial testing phase. The first refueling was conducted in cooperation with MG Flyers Luftfahrerschule GmbH, the flight school based at the airport.
Swift 100R is a lead-free 100-octane aviation fuel that provides the same motor octane number (MON 100) as conventional Avgas 100LL. The fuel can be used in approved aircraft without technical modifications and is compatible with existing fuel types. Currently, Swift 100R is approved on an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) basis for all Cessna 172 S- and R-models. Approvals for many additional aircraft types and engines will follow soon.
Beyond eliminating lead, the fuel also sets new standards for sustainability. Dr. Thomas Albuzat, Managing Director of Swift Fuel GmbH, explains the forward-looking formulation: “The ‘R’ in 100R stands for Renewable. The fuel already contains a share of renewable components and has been designed so that this share can be significantly increased in the future. In this way, we are not only contributing to the phase-out of lead but also paving the way for a more sustainable future in aviation.”
“With Swift 100R, we are expanding our offering for customers with a forward-looking alternative that actively supports the transformation of aviation,” says Martin Bollinger, Managing Director of Bollinger Aviation, the European distribution partner for the fuel. “Opening Europe’s first public refueling station of this kind together with Mönchengladbach Airport sends a strong signal for innovation and progress.”
For Mönchengladbach Airport, introducing Swift 100R is part of its strategic focus on climate-friendly technologies. Andreas Ungar, Managing Director of the airport, emphasizes: “Our collaboration with Bollinger Aviation and Swift Fuel demonstrates how practically we are supporting the transformation of aviation. Projects like this strengthen MGL’s role as a hub for sustainable and innovative solutions.”
Mönchengladbach Airport has been committed for years to CO₂ reduction and the development of new propulsion technologies. In addition to research activities on electric and hydrogen-based aircraft, providing modern, resource-efficient fuels represents another consistent step toward a sustainable and climate-friendly airport operation.
Press Contact Bollinger Aviation:
Bollinger Aviation
Freiligrathstraße 10
61440 Oberursel, Germany
+49 6172 9959746
ops@bollinger-aviation.de
Press Contact MGL:
Sevde Katran
+49 (0) 2161 6898-91
sevde.katran@mgl.de