Jet A-1 Fuel Uplift in Sri Lanka: Planning, Release and Payment Checklist

A Jet A-1 uplift in Sri Lanka should be treated as a confirmed operational service—not only a fuel-price quotation. Operators should verify the airport, fuel grade, required quantity, supplier acceptance, release reference, payment terms, delivery method and uplift window before departure. Fuel capability and operating hours vary between VCBI, VCCC, VCRI and VCCJ.

Last operational review: 13 September 2026. Fuel availability, stock, operating hours and supplier procedures can change. Confirm every uplift against current airport information, NOTAMs and written supplier acceptance.

Jet A-1 uplift checklist

Item	Confirm before dispatch
Airport	VCBI, VCCC, VCRI or VCCJ and the correct local supplier
Fuel request	Jet A-1, estimated uplift, unit and tolerance
Aircraft	Registration, type, operator, call sign and schedule
Commercial terms	Price basis, taxes, fees, currency, credit or prepayment
Release	Accepted release number and supplier confirmation
Delivery	Hydrant or refueller, equipment compatibility and delivery window
Changes	Process for delays, airport changes and revised quantities
Final record	Delivery receipt, actual uplift and discrepancy reporting

1. Choose the airport against the full mission

Fuel availability is only one part of airport selection. Runway suitability, operating hours, airport acceptance, permits, parking, ground handling, CIQ and onward routing must also work for the aircraft and schedule.

Bandaranaike International Airport — VCBI / CMB

VCBI is Sri Lanka’s principal international gateway and generally provides the broadest operating flexibility for international flights. Jet A-1 is available, but operators should still confirm stock, supplier acceptance, into-plane arrangements and timing for the planned movement.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport — VCRI / HRI

VCRI can be well suited to technical and fuel stops because of its long runway, H24 operating profile and Jet A-1 capability. A fast stop still depends on prior permit, handler, fuel and CIQ coordination.

Colombo International Airport Ratmalana — VCCC / RML

VCCC is closer to central Colombo and may suit eligible light or medium aircraft. Published hours, runway compatibility and fuel-service timing should be checked before selecting it for an uplift.

Jaffna International Airport — VCCJ / JAF

VCCJ has more constrained fuel capability. The published Jet A-1 arrangement uses a 15,000-litre refueller during daylight operating hours. Advance coordination or carrying return fuel may be operationally prudent, subject to the aircraft and mission.

2. Send a complete fuel request

A complete request helps the coordinator match the aircraft to the supplier, confirm commercial terms and reserve the uplift window. Include:

• Operator and billing entity
• Aircraft type and registration
• Call sign
• Airport and parking location when known
• UTC arrival and departure schedule
• Fuel grade
• Estimated uplift quantity
• Unit: litres, US gallons, imperial gallons or kilograms
• Acceptable uplift tolerance
• Whether fuel is mission-critical for the next sector
• Payment method or fuel-card details where accepted
• Any additives or special requirements
• Local handling confirmation

Always write the unit beside the quantity. A request showing only “5,000” is incomplete and can create a serious planning error.

3. Understand what the quotation includes

The lowest headline price is not necessarily the lowest delivered cost. Before accepting a quotation, check the unit, currency and validity period, plus any taxes, airport charges, into-plane fees, overtime, minimum-uplift charges, transport fees, credit-card charges or short-notice costs.

Clarify whether the price is based on litres, US gallons or another unit and whether the conversion will use the supplier’s observed density or an agreed standard. Fuel density changes with temperature, so kilogram-to-volume planning should be treated carefully.

4. Secure supplier acceptance and a valid release

A quotation does not mean the supplier has accepted the aircraft. The fuel release should identify the correct operator, registration, airport, date, product and commercial account. The local supplier or into-plane agent should acknowledge it before the flight departs.

Check that the release name matches the entity expected to receive the invoice. If a contract fuel provider, broker and local supplier are involved, confirm which reference must be presented on the ramp.

5. Align fuel with permits, handling and CIQ

A fuel stop may still require a Sri Lanka landing approval, airport acceptance, parking or slot coordination, ground handling and CIQ arrangements. The aircraft cannot be treated as ready merely because the uplift is confirmed.

Coordinate fuel through the same operational plan used for the Sri Lanka landing permit and ground handling. This reduces the risk of one supplier working to an old schedule after another part of the operation changes.

6. Plan the uplift sequence

The uplift window should fit the turnaround plan. Passenger movement, baggage handling, catering, lavatory servicing, potable water, towing and crew duties may affect when refuelling can begin. Confirm whether passengers may remain onboard and which airport or operator procedures apply.

For a technical stop, tell the coordinator the target ground time. A realistic sequence can then be agreed with the handler, fuel supplier and CIQ teams before arrival.

7. Prepare for schedule and quantity changes

A delay may move the flight outside the confirmed delivery window or published service hours. An airport change requires a new supplier and release. A material quantity increase may exceed the assigned refueller’s capacity or available stock.

Send changes as soon as they are known and request written reconfirmation. For a late aircraft substitution, update both the fuel release and handling order; do not rely on the original registration remaining valid.

8. Check the delivery before and after uplift

Before fuelling, the flight crew or authorized representative should verify the aircraft registration, requested product, release reference and ordered quantity. Apply the operator’s fuel-quality, bonding, fire-safety and supervision procedures.

After uplift, reconcile the delivered quantity with the cockpit indication and supplier ticket. Keep the delivery receipt and immediately report any difference in product, quantity, price basis or documentation.

Common fuel-planning mistakes

• Requesting a quantity without specifying the unit
• Treating a quotation as confirmed supplier acceptance
• Assuming availability is identical at every Sri Lankan airport
• Not checking the final delivered price and additional fees
• Sending the fuel release under the wrong operator or registration
• Failing to update the supplier after a schedule change
• Planning fuel separately from the permit and handler
• Requesting a large uplift without confirming stock or refueller capacity
• Allowing a release or quotation to expire before operation
• Not retaining the signed delivery ticket

Frequently asked questions

Is Jet A-1 available at Sri Lanka’s international airports?

Jet A-1 is available at the principal international gateways, but operating hours, stock, delivery method and capacity vary. Every uplift should be confirmed for the airport, aircraft, date and required quantity.

Is VCRI suitable for a technical fuel stop?

Mattala VCRI can be a practical technical-stop option because of its long runway and H24 fuel capability. Suitability still depends on aircraft acceptance, permits, handling, fuel confirmation, CIQ and onward-flight requirements.

Can fuel be paid by credit card?

Accepted payment methods depend on the supplier and commercial arrangement. Confirm card acceptance, surcharges, credit approval or prepayment before arrival rather than relying on payment being arranged on the ramp.

Does a fuel stop require a landing permit?

A technical landing in Sri Lanka generally requires the applicable landing approval and airport coordination even when no passengers embark or disembark. Confirm the current requirement for the specific flight.

Official operational reference

Airport and fuel information should be checked against the current Sri Lanka Aeronautical Information Management portal, relevant NOTAMs and written supplier confirmation.

Request Jet A-1 coordination in Sri Lanka

SEAS coordinates the fuel quotation, supplier acceptance, release, handling and operational schedule through one point of contact. Send the aircraft registration, airport, UTC schedule, fuel grade and estimated uplift quantity for confirmation.