The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) have announced that John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will debut a pooled fleet of electric ground support equipment (e-GSE) at its new Terminal 6.
Long Island-based Fortbrand Services has been appointed to manage and operate the fleet, which will be shared across airlines rather than supplied individually. The arrangement is intended to reduce duplication of equipment, improve airside efficiency, and cut emissions associated with diesel-powered vehicles.
JFK will become the first airport in North America to introduce pooled e-GSE across a new terminal. The fleet is expected to remove about 2,500 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, equivalent to the output of a petrol-powered car driven six million miles.
Each of the 10 gates at Terminal 6 will have dedicated electric ground handling equipment available for use by different operators. Fortbrand and JMP will oversee the fleet through real-time monitoring systems covering GPS location, battery levels, driver authorisation, speed, and maintenance needs. Charging facilities will be installed both on site and remotely.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said:The Port Authority’s nation-leading commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 includes a transition to the use of all commercially available zero emission ground support equipment at the region’s airports. The agreement between JFK Millennium Partners and Fortbrand to serve Terminal 6 with shared electric ground support equipment represents an exciting step toward reaching our goal.
The initiative forms part of the Port Authority’s plan to reach net-zero emissions across its operations by 2050. Measures outlined in its roadmap include the adoption of zero-emission ground equipment, solar energy generation, building decarbonisation, electric vehicle fleets, and sustainable construction practices.
The Port Authority introduced a rule in 2022 requiring all commercially available ground service equipment at its three major airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty – to be zero-emission by 2030. More than 1,500 electric units have already been deployed across the airports.
JFK Millennium Partners Chief Operating Officer Karen Ali said:At JFK T6, gone are the days of unnecessary duplication of ground-handling equipment – which translates into additional CO2 emissions and inefficient aircraft operations. Our future all-electric T6 ground fleet – monitored and maintained together with Fortbrand and our partners – will be a game changer for our airlines and underlines our company’s commitment to sustainable operating practices throughout our terminal.
Terminal 6 is one of several redevelopment projects underway at JFK as part of a wider 19 billion USD modernisation programme involving public and private investment. The new terminal, currently under construction, will be delivered in two phases. The first six gates are scheduled to open in 2026, with full completion expected by 2028.
Alongside the electric fleet, sustainability features planned for the terminal include over 4,000 solar panels, stormwater reuse systems, high-efficiency building infrastructure, and recycling targets aimed at diverting 90 per cent of construction waste. JMP intends to seek LEED and Envision Gold certifications for the facility.
