TUCSON, Arizona — Tucson International Airport (TUS) leaders joined airline partners, local officials and Burns & McDonnell project team members for a ribbon-cutting and celebration at the airport’s new 500,000-gallon bulk jet fuel storage facility. The $28.8 million facility was designed and built by Burns & McDonnell on behalf of the airlines.

The project includes a trio of 168,000 above-ground jet fuel tanks, replacing the eight underground single-walled tanks. The new fuel system connects to the airport’s existing hydrant system, which delivers fuel to various airline gates. The project also includes a new operations building, which is equipped with digital and electronic systems to measure incoming and outgoing fuel. Now that the fueling facility is operating, the old underground tanks have been removed.

“The new, upgraded fuel storage facility will have a significant impact on fueling operations here at TUS, greatly enhancing efficiency and safety,” says Kent Goggan, manager of fuel operations for American Airlines and chairman of Tucson Fuel Facilities LLC.

TUS leadership is enthusiastic about the new facility, its features and potential for growth. “With the new above-ground tanks, we have exceeded the former capacity and there is room to add another tank in the future, if demand warrants that,” says Danette Bewley, president and chief executive officer of the Tucson Airport Authority. “We also exceed all environmental regulations and have a sustainable and resilient facility for the future.”

Before the project began, Burns & McDonnell worked with the airlines and Tucson Fuel Facilities LLC to conduct a detailed analysis of the existing fuel station, which the firm had designed in the 1970s. After determining the scope and cost for retrofitting, the airlines opted to replace the facility to meet the airport’s future needs, and construction for the project broke ground in late 2020.

“Burns & McDonnell is proud to deliver this state-of-the-art fuel facility for the airport, TUS Fuel Facilities LLC and its airline partners,” says Dustin Giles, Burns & McDonnell project manager for the TUS fuel facility. “We were honored to be trusted to provide insight into TUS’ future needs, and look forward to seeing the growth and success the airport achieves with these updated facilities and infrastructure.”

Burns & McDonnell ranks No. 9 among the Top 500 Design Firms in the U.S. and No. 6 among the Top 100 Design-Build Firms, according to Engineering News-Record.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 10,000 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, and more to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.