b'42 SAN FUELING San Diego Intl LaunchesNew Hydrant Fueling System BY MIKE SCHWANZSan Diego International Airport Safety, operational efficiency andfueling system, since several sections of (SAN) recently completed the firstsustainability are the main benefits thatpavement around the gates would be torn phase of an ambitious hydrantinspired SAN to initiate the change inup anyway, Shafer-Payne relates. fueling system that will eventually serve allfueling strategy. With this project, we areBefore any of the new hydrant system 51 of its existing gates, (and then) 11 moregoing to be able to remove 50 fuel truckscould be activated, however, the fuel being added in early 2028. As of late July,that today are continually running arounddistribution infrastructure needed several four gates in Terminal 2 were already usingthe airfield, Shafer-Payne explains. Anycomplex improvements. For engineering, the new system, with 17 gates in the newtime we can avoid some of that vehiculardesign and construction support, the Terminal 1 slated to be outfitted to use ittraffic, that is a bonus. airport turned to Burns & McDonnell, a this fall.Practically speaking, using a hydrantfamiliar project partner.It will take severalfueling system is a more efficient way toTo support a new more years to addtransport fuel from the storage tanks tohydrant fuel system the hydrant fuelaircraft. From the airlines perspective, itand prepare for future system to all of oursignificantly reduces turnaround times,demand, the airport gates, but we thinkwhich also benefits passengers. Anotherneeded a complete it will be worth it inadvantage is reduced cost to the airlines,overhaul of its piping the long run, saysas there is less infrastructure to maintain,distribution system, Angela Shafer-Payne,ANGELA SHAFER-PAYNE adds Shafer-Payne. And with fewerincreased fuel storageTYLER CURRYthe airports vicetrucks, the airports carbon footprint willcapacity and a new president of development.be reduced. pumping system, explains Tyler Curry, The airport self-funded the first sixInitial planning for a hydrant systemprojects manager for Burns & McDonnell. installations and related infrastructure forbegan in 2016, when SAN started theCoordinated with other airport capital $50 million. The airline fuel consortiumdevelopment process to build a newimprovement projects, the first hydrant at SAN will pay to install the system atterminal. As we were discussing thesystem was successfully installed the remaining 58 gates. Those costs areterminal project, we felt like the time wasand activated at gates 46 to 51. After estimated at $200 million.right to take a hard look at a hydrantconsulting with the airport and the various September 2025AirportImprovement.com'