Swissport said starting January 2025, it will mandate the purchase of electric-powered variants for many vehicle categories — further speeding up the transition of its fleet of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) from diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles to electric units.
Swissport International, which operates at almost 300 airports worldwide, is increasing its investments in electric Ground Support Equipment (eGSE).
"As part of its commitment to achieving 55% eGSE by 2032, Swissport is implementing a newly adopted procurement policy that stipulates starting January 2025, new vehicles across numerous categories can only be ordered in electric versions," the airport ground services and air cargo handler said.
Swissport added that this includes vehicles for baggage transport, conveyor belts for loading luggage onto aircraft, mobile staircases for passenger boarding, light & medium forklifts, and service vehicles for waste disposal and freshwater supply.
Swissport intends to procure only electric GSE by 2027, depending on the availability of the required equipment and the development of sufficient charging infrastructure at airports.
"Swissport reaffirms its goal to continuously increase the proportion of electric, zero-emission ground support equipment," said Warwick Brady, president & CEO of Swissport International.
"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."
Largest GSE fleet globally
Swissport is the largest global operator of airport ground support equipment, with a fleet of approximately 14,300 motorized units.
It noted that electrifying its fleet offers numerous benefits to airlines, airports, and employees, including more reliable and comfortable equipment, noise reduction, health and safety features such as anti-collision systems, increased asset availability, and enhanced automation potential.
"To support our electrification roadmap, airports must prioritize installing charging infrastructure and ensure their electrical grids can handle increased power demands," Brady said.
"Swissport also urges regulators and IATA to establish standardized charging connectors and protocols and to require airports to provide a minimum number of electrifiable GSE parking spaces," the Swissport chief executive added.
Despite charging infrastructure constraints, Swissport is making significant strides in electrifying its fleet, especially at major European hubs.
At Zurich Airport (ZRH), Swissport currently operates with 44% electric GSE and is set to reach 55% by the end of 2025.
At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Swissport has invested €2.5 million (US$2.8 million)) in electric assets and plans to transition its entire motorized GSE fleet to electric soon. For example, all cars used on the apron at AMS will be electric by December 2024.
For its ground operations at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Swissport said it has already deployed five electric buses and has seven additional buses on order.
At Frankfurt Airport, for which Swissport recently secured a license to provide ground services starting February 2025, the company plans to invest approximately €25 million (US$28 million) in electric vehicles.
