From January 2025, Swissport is mandating the purchase of electric-powered variants for many of its ground support vehicles.
This move further advances the transition of its fleet of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) from diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles to electric units.
Swissport International operates at almost 300 airports across the globe. The company is implementing this newly adopted procurement policy as part of its commitment to achieving 55% eGSE by 2032.
The policy stipulates that from January 2025, new vehicles across certain categories can only be ordered in electric versions. 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 fresh water supply.
By 2027, Swissport intends to procure only electric GSE, depending on the availability of the required equipment and the development of sufficient charging infrastructure at airports.
Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International said:Swissport reaffirms its goal to continuously increase the proportion of electric, zero-emission ground support equipment. 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.
Swissport is the largest global operator of airport ground support equipment with a fleet of approximately 14,300 motorised units.
The electrification of 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.
Warwick Brady added: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.
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 EUR in electric assets and plans to transition its entire motorised GSE fleet to electric. As an 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 has deployed five electric buses, with seven additional buses on order.
At Frankfurt Airport, Swissport recently secured a license to provide ground services starting February 2025. Here, the company plans to invest approximately 25 million EUR in electric vehicles.
