Tag: Sustainability

Swissport to buy electric vehicles from 2025

Swissport eco powered resizedSwissport will purchase new vehicles in electric-powered variants from January 2025 to speed up the transition away from diesel and gasoline-powered GSE.

From January, vehicles for baggage transport, conveyor belts to load luggage, mobile staircases, forklifts, and vehicles for waste disposal and water supply must be purchased in the electric variant in Swissport’s newly adopted procurement policy.

By 2027, Swissport intends to procure only electric GSE depending on equipment availability and airport infrastructure.

Swissport has set the target of 55% electric GSE by 2032.

The policy is key to Swissport’s ESG commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, with CEO Warwick Brady saying: “Over the next ten years, we will invest over a billion euros into a new electric fleet. Our strong commitment to sustainability and clean energy also supports airlines’ ESG goals and reduces their supply chain emissions.”

Brady also said: “To support our electrification roadmap, airports must prioritise installing charging infrastructure, and ensure their electrical grids can handle increased power demands. Swissport also urges regulators and IATA to establish standardised charging connectors and protocols and to require airports to provide a minimum number of electrifiable GSE parking spaces.”

Swissport is making progress electrifying its GSE fleet at major European airports with 44% electric GSE at Zurich Airport, which is set to reach 55% by the end of 2025.

At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Swissport has invested €2.5 million in electric assets and intends to transition its entire motorised GSE fleet to electric power soon.

Five electric buses have been deployed at Rome Fiumicino Airport with seven more on order, and Swissport will invest €25 million in electric vehicles at Frankfurt Airport, where it has secured a licence to provide ground services from February 2025.

Green Cubes launches new Li-ion battery for GSE

Green Cubes resizedGreen Cubes Technology has unveiled its latest lithium ion battery for GSE offering superior safety and cycle life.

The Li-ion battery utilises Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is safer and more efficient than lead acid and other types of Li-ion batteries.

Key features of Green Cubes’ battery are a state of charge measurement update for stable tracking, improved isolation with CAN and USB communication interfaces, advanced technician software and diagnostic trouble codes to improve diagnostics, an IP54-designed battery control module with easy access for servicing, common parts to reduce spare part inventory requirements, and a power distribution board to eliminate I/O harness and inline components.

Robin Schneider, Director of Marketing at Green Cubes, said: “Airlines and airports worldwide are committed to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainability. Converting GSE to electric power, particularly using Li-ion batteries, is a straightforward and impactful step in this direction.”

Joe Richards, Vice President of Product Management, added: “LFP chemistry is safer, more environmentally friendly, and provides a superior cycle life. In addition, we are implementing design features specifically to address the needs of GSE, developed from our years of experience in this industry.”

DHL Express to cut ground emissions with mobile charging carts

DHL Express mobile charging cart resized croppedDHL Express will role out JBT AeroTech mobile charging carts at select US airports to carbon emissions in ground operations.

The cart, which was unveiled at the International GSE Expo in Las Vegas, serves as a mobile charging platform for battery-powered ground support equipment, saving around 800 tons of carbon emissions a year.

It will meet charging demands that current airport infrastructure cannot meet and DHL will replace older combustion powered equipment with new eGSE, which can be charged by the new unit.

The AmpCart, designed by JBT AeroTech, has 4 to 6 chargers with 2 output charging cables each for a total of 8 to 12 charging connectors.

It can also act as a backup system in the case of a power outage, allowing ground equipment to continue normal operations.

The charging cart will be introduced at San Diego International Airport next month and then at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.

Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express US, says, “Mobile charging technology is a significant step forward in DHL’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and meeting ambitious sustainability goals in the coming years. We’re looking at ways to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious across all aspects of our operation.”

United invests in Natron Energy to electrify ground operations

IAH ramp marshall plane resizedUnited Airlines has made a strategic equity investment in sodium-ion battery manufacturer Natron Energy to help electrify ground operations.

The sodium-ion batteries have the potential to help United electrify airport ground equipment including pushback tractors and operations at the gate.

United has made investments in companies developing technology to reduce aircraft emissions but Natron is the first with the potential to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint from United’s ground operations.

The airline has more than 12,000 pieces of motorised ground equipment, of which one third is electric.

Natron’s batteries can support operations through charging electric ground equipment, charging anticipated future electric aircraft, allowing airport operations to manage electricity demand and greatly improve resilience during inclement weather.

Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, said: “Out of the gate, we primarily focused on technology designed to help reduce carbon emissions from our airplanes. Natron’s cutting-edge sodium-ion batteries presented an ideal opportunity to both potentially expand our sustainability investment portfolio to our ground operations, and to help make our airport operations more resilient.”

Colin Wessells, CEO of Natron Energy, added: “Our batteries provide the high power over short distances that ground service equipment needs, and unlike lithium-ion, Natron’s batteries are completely non-flammable and can be safely deployed into ground service operations.”

Natron says sodium-ion batteries have several advantages such as better output and cycle life than their lithium counterparts, and independent tests showed that they were non-flammable.

The minerals used in sodium-ion batteries are abundant worldwide and easily sourced, unlike lithium which is in short supply with demand expected to triple by 2025.