JP54 vs Jet A-1: What International Aviation Fuel Buyers Need to Know About Kazakhstan-Sourced Kerosene

Overview: Two Fuels, One Market

International aviation fuel buyers sourcing from Kazakhstan frequently encounter both JP54 and Jet A-1 in supplier offers. On the surface they appear interchangeable — both are kerosene-based aviation turbine fuels, both power commercial and military jet aircraft, and both originate from the same crude oil refining process. In practice, however, they differ in specification origin, certification pathway, and acceptability by airport fuelling authorities worldwide.

This guide is written for procurement managers, aviation fuel traders, and logistics coordinators who receive CIS-origin offers and need to understand the technical and commercial differences before committing to a purchase.

Specification Origins

Jet A-1 is defined by two internationally recognised standards: DEF STAN 91-091 (UK Ministry of Defence) and ASTM D1655. It is the global commercial aviation standard used by IATA member airlines, accepted at virtually every commercial airport in the world. Its freeze point is −47°C, which qualifies it for long-haul international routes including polar paths.

JP54 — sometimes written JP-54 or TS-1 in Russian documentation — is a Soviet-era specification defined under GOST 10227. It remains widely used in CIS aviation operations, Russian-built aircraft, and military procurement. JP54 has a slightly lower flash point (minimum 28°C vs 38°C for Jet A-1) and a freeze point specification of −50°C, making it technically superior for cold-weather operations. However, it is not recognised under IATA Guidance Material and is not accepted at Western commercial airports without specific airline approval and blending documentation.

Key Technical Differences

Flash Point: JP54 minimum 28°C; Jet A-1 minimum 38°C. The lower flash point of JP54 means it is more volatile and requires stricter handling at ambient temperatures above 28°C.

Freeze Point: JP54 maximum −50°C; Jet A-1 maximum −47°C. JP54 offers a marginal advantage for extreme cold operations.

Sulphur Content: Both can be produced to low-sulphur specifications from Kazakhstan refineries. The Atyrau and Shymkent refineries produce Euro-5 compatible kerosene fractions. Buyers should request the Certificate of Quality (CoQ) and confirm the actual sulphur figure rather than assuming spec compliance.

Thermal Stability: Jet A-1 under JFTOT testing (ASTM D3241) must achieve a minimum 260°C with a tube deposit rating of less than 3. JP54 under GOST 10227 uses a different thermal oxidation stability test. These are not directly comparable, and buyers sourcing for Western airlines must obtain ASTM-method test data.

Certification and Documentation Requirements

For Kazakhstan-sourced Jet A-1, buyers should expect the following documentation: Certificate of Quality issued by the producing refinery, third-party inspection certificate from SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas, GOST conformity declaration, and where applicable, a JIG (Joint Inspection Group) product release note if the fuel is destined for a JIG-member airport.

For JP54, documentation typically includes a GOST 10227 Certificate of Quality, refinery production batch number, and a sulphur content certificate. If the buyer intends to re-export JP54 as Jet A-1 after blending or treating, a re-certification process through an accredited laboratory is mandatory — this cannot be done by the seller alone.

Which Should Kazakhstan Buyers Choose?

If the end-user is a CIS airline operating Russian-built aircraft (Tupolev, Ilyushin, Antonov) within Central Asia or Russia, JP54 is the standard fuel and is commercially cost-effective. Kazakhstan’s domestic aviation sector primarily uses TS-1/JP54.

If the buyer is procuring for re-export, for Western-operated aircraft transiting Kazakhstan, or for delivery to a non-CIS airport, Jet A-1 to DEF STAN 91-091 is the only acceptable specification. Kazakhstan refineries — particularly Shymkent following its Euro-5 upgrade — are capable of producing Jet A-1 grade kerosene, but buyers must specify this explicitly in the purchase contract and confirm the refinery’s current quality certification.

Practical Guidance for Buyers

Always request the refinery’s most recent CoQ batch, not a generic specification sheet. Verify the actual sulphur figure, JFTOT result, and freeze point against your airline or authority’s approved fuel specification. For CIF or DAP deliveries into non-CIS territories, engage a JIG-accredited inspector at the loading port. For FOB Aktau purchases, the inspection point is at the Aktau marine terminal where Caspian tanker loading is supervised.

LLP Kamenistoe-Neft supplies both JP54 and Jet A-1 grade kerosene with full third-party inspection and Certificate of Quality. Request a quotation for current availability, batch specifications, and export pricing.

Explore further: Our full petroleum product catalogue — Quality assurance and certifications — Export, trading and logistics — Understanding Kazakhstan’s three refineries