The aeronautical industry is at a critical time, sustainability becoming a central objective for airlines, ground managers, airports and passengers. While the world is struggling with the challenges of air pollution and climate change, airport soil managers advance innovative efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adopt clean transport practices. Zero emission vehicle technology (ZEV), in particular, has become a transformative solution, offering a path to decarbonize the ground operations while improving efficiency and reducing costs. While airports in the world 9th Americas Ghi conferenceOrganized by Ground Handling International, will offer a series of announcements where sustainability will undoubtedly be central.
The imperative of sustainability in soil manipulation
The ground handling operations, which include luggage handling, towing aircraft, refueling and catering, are an integral part of the aviation ecosystem. These activities have historically supported the Diesel soil support equipment (GSE), contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Since governments, regulators and consumers require more sustainable practices, the field handling industry is under pressure to switch to clean technologies.
By replacing traditional diesel equipment with ZEV alternatives, soil handling companies and their air partners can considerably reduce their carbon footprint, improve air quality around airports, reduce sound pollution of equipment operators and align themselves with wider sustainability targets. In addition, advances in technology of the technology of batteries and public services for the load of infrastructure facilities make the adoption of ZEV more feasible and more profitable than ever.
Recent ads: an instantaneous progress
Several companies have made significant progress in the progression of EV technologies for soil handling. These announcements highlight the engagement of the industry towards sustainability and the growing momentum behind electrical solutions.
- Delta Air Lines is several years of effort to electrify the ground handling operations in the main hubs, including Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles, among others. This initiative is part of Delta’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon compensation programs.
- Swissport, one of the world’s main soil management suppliers, recently announced its intention to extend its GSE electric fleet to the main European airports. The company is committed to making zero net emissions by 2050 and invested massively in electric towing tractors, luggage chargers and reversing vehicles.
- TCR Group, a first GSE rental and maintenance provider, recently advanced efforts to deploy EV load solutions at the United States and Europe airports. This partnership aims to approach one of the main obstacles to the adoption of the EV – load infrastructure – ensuring that ground handling companies have access to reliable and effective load solutions.
Airports lead (and provide) the load
Airports themselves also play a central role in conducting EV technologies. For example, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport recently introduced incentives to ground handling companies to go to GSE electricity, including reduced costs and access to dedicated load areas. Likewise, the new JFK terminal, which should open its doors in 2026, will include a soil handling fleet exclusively zero emission, to prioritize airlines, equipment operators and infrastructure providers who can answer the call.
The transition, however, is not without challenges, including high initial costs, an uncertain or unavailable electrical supply, and the need for labor formation are only some of the obstacles to which are confronted. However, these challenges also have opportunities for innovation and collaboration. For example, progress in batteries technology reduces costs and improving performance, while other efforts are underway to deploy innovative commercial models, such as rental and shared property, to make adoption EV more accessible. In addition, partnerships between airports, airlines, ground handling suppliers and technological companies accelerate the deployment of the load infrastructure as a shared resource.
The GHI conference was a collaboration platform
The next GHI conference in Orlando should be a pivotal event for the field industry, offering a platform for stakeholders to discuss sustainability and share best practices. With a dedicated accent on clean commercial technologies, the conference will include sessions on the adoption of ZEV, load infrastructure and the role of digitization in improving operational efficiency. The main speakers of companies and leading organizations will highlight the latest innovations in electric GSE and will explore the strategies to overcome the implementation challenges. The conference will also include an exhibition presenting advanced EV technologies, offering participants a first -hand look at the future of sustainable handling on the ground.
While the aeronautical industry continues its journey to sustainability, the ground manipulation sector has a unique opportunity to show the example. ZEV technologies are not only a solution to reduce emissions – they are a catalyst for transforming ground operations and creating more resilient and efficient industry. With the right investments, politicians and partnerships, the industry can accelerate this transition and establish a new standard of sustainability in aviation.
To navigate the landscape of changing incentives, the STRC Transportation Solutions team from TRC clearly traced the location and calendar of all these incentive programs. TRC maintains relations with each transport, environment and energy agency at local, state and federal level in the United States and Canada, which provides the information necessary to help fleet managers, technology suppliers and fuel suppliers to identify and obtain the best incentives for their projects. If your organization seeks to progress in its sustainability efforts, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the funding programs that can help achieve your economic and environmental goals.