18 FUELING September 2026 AirportImprovement.com Fueling and deicing operations have a lot of moving (and stationary) parts that need to be located, inspected, maintained, replaced and documented. For decades, much of that information was recorded on paper or stored in spreadsheets and databases scattered throughout several locations. These days, asset management software platforms digitize and centralize “paperwork,” manage work orders and enhance operational efficiency. Earlier this year, more than a dozen Canadian consortia responsible for fueling and/or deicing operations throughout the country began using a cloud-based platform to centralize asset records, inspections and maintenance activities, compliance documentation, engineering information and planning data. Authorized users can access role-appropriate reports, dashboard data and other information across participating facilities in their portfolio 24/7 via connected web or mobile devices. The various consortia purchase SAIM™—short for Smart Asset Integrity Management—as a monthly subscription. Frank Femia, director of Fuel and Deicing Services and Renewable Fuels with Air Canada, laughs recalling the days of storing data in boxes and boxes of paper. “I am an auditor and inspector as well, and the amount of paperwork we used to generate, it’s incredible.” He acknowledges that some people still prefer hard copies, but expects physical storage needs to decline as acceptance of new technologies grows. The digital transition for Canadian consortia traces back more than a decade ago, when their U.S. counterparts became concerned about experienced personnel retiring and taking years of site-specific knowledge about systems and assets with them. Records were spread throughout stacks of papers, shelves of binders and spreadsheets buried in various folders for the next generation of personnel to find and decipher, which sometimes proved untenable. Canadian Fueling and Deicing Consortia Make the Switch from Hard Copies to Software BY MICHELLE GARDNER FRANK FEMIA FACTS&FIGURES Project: Digital Asset Management Platform for Fueling & Deicing Operations Locations: 12 airports throughout Canada Tech Platform: SAIM™ - Smart Asset Integrity Management Developed by: SAIM LLC, a subsidiary of Argus Companies Users: 15 Canadian fueling consortia, 3 deicing consortia & partners they authorize Deployment: Jan.- summer 2026 First Location: Vancouver Int’l Airport Cost: Monthly subscription based on user’s selected modules Airline Consortia Manager: FSM Management Group Key Benefits: 24/7 access to track fueling & glycol operations assets, inspection/maintenance schedules, design/engineering, capital investment decisions, regulatory compliance; greater visibility, accountability & audit readiness across multiple locations; trending data to support repairs & preventive maintenance; asset history & cost information for planning & budget decisions; alerts that improve response time & facility records; interactive digital twins, LiDAR imagery & as-builts for troubleshooting & improvement projects; reduction in data entry errors; improved retention of institutional knowledge
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