Menzies Aviation has begun transitioning its ground support equipment (GSE) fleets at both London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW) airport away from the use of diesel and toward Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
The move progresses the company’s overall move towards its net-zero target, which it aims to achieve by 2045.
With 60% of Menzies’ GSE fleet at LHR now running on HVO and 50% at LGW having ditched diesel for the fuel alternative, the rest of the company’s GSE fleet runs on 100% electric power.
Menzies has now officially transitioned its equipment fleets across 7 different international sites to use HVO, including those used in operations at Gothenburg (GOT), Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), and Amsterdam (AMS), as well as San Diego International Airport (SAN) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The transition is set to cut emissions by up to 165 tonnes of CO₂e each year across London’s LHR and LGW.
Produced from sustainable feedstock such as waste vegetable oils and animal fats; HVO is now being used as a diesel alternative across a wide range of sectors to offer comparable performance whilst lowering carbon emissions.
Menzies’ move forms part of its All In sustainability strategy and complements its Electric First initiative, which looks to prioritise the electrification of GSE wherever possible.
John Geddes, Chief Governance & Sustainability Officer & Company Secretary, said:Advancing the use of HVO at two of our largest UK ground handling operations represents another important milestone in our journey to decarbonise and achieve net-zero by 2045.
HVO provides an immediate reduction in emissions while we continue to invest in electric ground support equipment as part of our Electric First initiative.
By combining renewable fuel alternatives with our long-term electrification strategy, we’re taking tangible action to support our customers’ sustainability goals and the wider industry’s net zero ambitions.
