A4A Issues Joint Industry Notice on Microbiological Growth in Aviation Fuel

Back NATA News / May 5, 2026

Airlines for America (A4A), publisher of ATA 103, alongside the Joint Inspection Group (JIG), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the IATA Fuel Quality Pool (IFQP), has issued a joint notice to industry on microbiological growth (MBG) contamination in aviation fuel systems.

The notice reinforces a long-standing fuel quality principle familiar throughout the industry: effective water management remains the primary defense against microbiological “bug” contamination. “This is something we’ve emphasized for years through NATA Safety 1st Certified QC Inspector WorkshopsonSITE training, and within the Safety 1st Training Center,” said NATA VP of Education and Safety Steve Berry. “‘No Water, No Bugs’ has long been a core fuel quality message because microbiological growth in aviation fuel systems depends on the presence of water.”

The organizations note that unchecked MBG activity can contribute to corrosion, filter plugging, and fuel system component failures if not properly identified and addressed.

Read the joint notice here.