Frankfurt, Germany – June 16, 2026
Information Design, the German aviation software solution provider behind aFuel – the world’s leading digital aviation fueling network – today announced the successful go-live of four Portuguese airports: Faro (FAO), Funchal (FNC), Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO). This expansion marks a significant milestone in aFuel’s continued growth across Southern Europe, bringing real-time digital fueling capabilities to one of the continent’s most dynamic aviation markets – including key gateway hubs on the Portuguese mainland and across the Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira.
The Portugal go-live is a direct result of aFuel’s deliberate strategy of building deep, trusted partnerships across the aviation fueling ecosystem. Rather than operating in isolation, aFuel functions as an open platform – connecting IT dispatch system providers, into-plane agents, ground handlers and airlines within a single, interoperable digital network.
The Portuguese stations are connected thanks to two cornerstone partners: The IT dispatch system integration is provided by ebits, a long-standing technology partner of Information Design with a proven track record of delivering reliable fueling dispatch systems across multiple European markets. On the ground, Petrogal – one of Portugal’s most established fuel and energy companies – serves as the into-plane agent, ensuring seamless physical fueling operations at all five airports.
The Partnership Network as a Strategic Asset
aFuel’s global reach is inseparable from the strength of its partner ecosystem. Today, the network spans hundreds of airports across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas – a footprint that would be impossible without the operational expertise and on-the-ground presence of trusted partners like ebits and Petrogal.
As aFuel continues to expand, the depth and quality of its partner network will remain central to its growth strategy, because each new partner that joins the network increases the value for every airline already connected – and every new airline that connects creates more opportunity for existing partners.
Julia Büchner, CEO, Information Design:
“Portugal is more than a geographic expansion – it is a demonstration of what aFuel’s partnership model can achieve as our network is only as strong as the partners who bring it to life.
ebits has been a trusted technology ally for years, and Petrogal brings exactly the kind of local expertise and operational credibility that airlines need in order to trust the fueling process. Together, we are not just adding four airports to a list – we are extending a network of reliability that airlines can count on every single day. Portugal is a milestone, but it is also a blueprint for what comes next.”
About aFuel
aFuel is the world’s leading digital aircraft fueling network, operated by Information Design. It connects airlines with fuel providers and into-plane agents at more than 300 airports worldwide, enabling a fully automated, paperless fueling operation from first order to final electronic ticket sign-off. aFuel integrates over 40 into-plane agents and 13 fuel dispatch systems and is accessible directly through the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) – no additional hardware or application required. It complies fully with IATA AIDX messaging standards. More information: www.informationdesign.io/afuel
About Information Design
Information Design is a Frankfurt-based aviation software solution provider, founded in 1996, specializing in turning aviation data into actionable intelligence. Its products include aFuel, the world’s largest digital aircraft fueling network, and aWall, the aviation industry’s only real-time operational dashboard. Information Design serves some of the world’s leading airlines, airports, and air traffic control organizations. More information: www.informationdesign.io
Press Contact — Information Design
Katja Grupe
Sales & Marketing Manager
P +49 69 244502-60
M katja.grupe@id1.de
W www.informationdesign.io
