WOKING, England, January 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Q8Aviation has signed a major Services Agreement with National Oil Ethiopia (NOC), further strengthening Q8Aviation's presence in Africa.

NOC, Ethiopia's largest private oil company, entered the aviation fuel supply business in July 2010 with the launch of a new aviation fuel depot and state of the art refuelling facility at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Under the agreement, Q8Aviation will carry out inspections and audits of the refuelling operations and provide NOC with technical support and insurance cover. Q8Aviation will also be responsible for handling tenders for visiting carriers, working in partnership with NOC to develop its refuelling business at Addis Ababa. NOC already has a significant presence in the inland market in Ethiopia.

Nick Nigel, Market Development Manager, says: "I am delighted that we have secured this important agreement with NOC and welcome the opportunity to support the company in developing its refuelling business. It is particularly pleasing that Q8Aviation was recommended to NOC by one of our existing clients, Nile Bakri in Sudan, which suggests that we are building a strong reputation for our expertise in this area of the world."

Tadesse Tilahun, Chief Executive Officer of NOC, comments: "NOC is committed to expanding operations in Ethiopia and has been determined to enter the aviation market since our inception in 2004. Our aim is to provide greater competition and a superior level of customer service at Addis Airport. Q8Aviation's highly respected expertise in fuel operations and in building strong customer relationships will be invaluable in helping us to achieve world-class operational standards and high customer satisfaction. We look forward to a long and successful partnership."

Established in 2004, NOC is the fastest growing oil company operating in Ethiopia, following reforms made by the Ethiopian Government to encourage investment in the oil industry, which was formerly dominated by multinationals. Ethiopia's aviation industry currently consumes 400 million litres of fuel each year, a figure that is expected to at least double over the next few years.

In addition to its core business of supplying jet fuel to airlines at more than 60 airports around the world, Q8Aviation offers technical services to organisations ranging from major oil companies to individual into-plane operators. This business is expanding rapidly in Africa, where Q8Aviation has established technical and sales services agreements with companies operating at airports in Kenya, Tanzania and the Sudan.