Tag: Brazil

dnata adds electric tugs to Sao Paulo Guarulhos fleet

dnata electric tugs in Sao Paulo 2 resizeddnata has invested $1.7 million by adding 24 electric tugs to its GSE fleet at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport.

The tugs will transport passenger baggage between aircraft and the airport terminal, and will prevent 420 tonnes of CO2 emissions from being released annually, the equivalent of more than 1.7 million kilometres of driving an average petrol-powered car.

Phil McGrane, CEO of dnata Brazil says the ground services provider is proud to invest in electric GSE, which will help dnata Brazil maintain service and safety levels while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

He said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners to further improve environmental efficiency in the Brazilian aviation industry. This includes strong collaboration with the infrastructure providers, whose investment is crucial for advancing the electrification of GSE fleets.”

dnata is investing in its global GSE fleet to improve environmental performance and is committed to phasing out diesel-powered engines, which will be replaced by hybrid, electric or hydrogen power wherever airports have suitable infrastructure.

Minimising fuel consumption is a focus for dnata, with its GSE fleet getting monitored with Vehicle Tracking Management systems, mapping exercises to minimise the distance travelled, and optimised shifts and parking slots to reduce fuel burn.

Driver behaviour is also tracked to encourage better driving through education, awareness and training.

In the 2023-24 financial year, data verified by Verifavia, an independent accredited environmental verification and auditing body found that dnata’s carbon intensity was reduced by over 8%, 22% and 26% in its airport operations, travel and catering businesses respectively.

Azul awards Swissport handling contract at Viracopos

Swissport resizedBrazilian airline Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras has awarded Swissport to provide ground handling services at Viracopos International Airport.

Swissport will provide ramp handling, aircraft cleaning, and cargo handling in the eight year contract at the airport in Campinas, Sao Paulo state. The two companies already work together at eight airports in Brazil.

Rene Pascua, Head of Latin America and Caribbean at Swissport said: “Swissport has been serving Azul at several airports since the start of their operations in 2008, and we are honoured to earn their renewed trust and to serve them at their home base. Swissport is well prepared to support Azul’s growth in Brazil and beyond as it adds new aircraft.”

At Viracopos, Azul serves 66 locations across Latin America and a few in the US and Portugal, primarily operating narrow-body Airbuses, ATRs and Embraers and a few widebody Airbuses, and it has A350s on order.

IAG Cargo restarts Heathrow – Rio services

IAG Cargo resizedIAG Cargo has reconnected London Heathrow and Rio de Janeiro following a 20 month break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service restarted on 1 December, operating four times a week using a British Airways Boeing 787, adding to daily services from Madrid operated by Iberia.

The connection is expected to be a key route for automotive parts into Brazil and for electronic and e-commerce goods to move between Europe and South America.

London – Rio services are important for perishable exports such as papayas and melons, which can be transported using IAG Cargo’s Constant Fresh service designed for perishable goods.