A fuel transfer apparatus for an aircraft comprises: two or more fuel tanks (2,3,4,5,6) arranged in an inboard to outboard alignment, at least one being situated in the wing (1) of the aircraft, means for transferring fuel between the tanks (8, 9), and a fuel management system (10) for controlling and monitoring the transfer of fuel between tanks the fuel management system comprises; means for receiving a first input signal that the aircraft has left the ground, means for receiving a second input signal that the aircraft is approaching its destination, means for initiating the transfer of the fuel from a relatively inboard tank location to a relatively outboard tank location in response to the first input signal, and means for initiating the transfer of the fuel from a relatively outboard tank location to a relatively inboard tank location in response to the second input signal.