Fuel Tankering

Fuel Tankering is the operational practice of loading more fuel than required for a flight at a station where fuel is cheaper, to reduce or eliminate the need to purchase fuel at the (more expensive) destination or subsequent stop.

• Common when fuel price differential exceeds the cost of carrying extra weight
• Extra weight increases fuel burn by approximately 3–5% of the tankered amount
• Airlines use optimization software to calculate when tankering is economically beneficial
• Environmental concern: Tankering increases total CO2 emissions even if it saves money
• Some airlines have reduced tankering to meet sustainability targets
• Not possible when takeoff weight or fuel tank capacity is limiting