Eco-powered fleet
Increasing climate change awareness has brought a sharper focus on the use of fossil fuels. Swissport is aware of its responsibility and is increasingly using eGSE instead of fossil-fuel powered vehicles.
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) plays a key role in aircraft turnaround operations and directly influences ground-level emissions at airports. For years, we’ve been deploying electrically powered and hybrid GSE (eGSE) wherever operationally feasible. eGSE decreases toxic exhaust emissions and reduces our carbon footprint, while also contributing to more efficient and sustainable airport operations. Our goal is to increase this share to at least 55 percent by 2032, supporting long-term decarbonisation efforts across our network.
Fleet electrification is supported through structured procurement and investment processes that prioritise electric and hybrid equipment where operationally and infrastructure feasible.
Fleet decarbonisation also includes retrofit solutions where feasible, in collaboration with equipment suppliers. Furthermore, our fleet includes GSE and vehicles powered by lower-emission fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG), which contribute to reduced emissions compared to conventional fuels.
As of 2023, we are also supporting our partners’ initiatives of using biofuels as a transition option. For example, as of January 2023, Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands fully changed to the biofuel HVO100, and Swissport has accordingly replaced all use of fossil fuels with HVO100 in its GSE in Amsterdam.
Ramp handling
Battery-powered pushback tractors
Towbarless Aircraft Tractors are among the most impressive and powerful GSE at the world's airports and the largest among the so-called pushback vehicles. They push aircraft from their parking position to the taxiway. Given the power requirements to push the largest aircrafts, diesel engines are still being used, but the innovators are looking for alternatives. TLD was one of the first companies to recognize the potential of the battery and equipped its TPX-100 in the e-version with accumulators. The clean engine can avoid up to 8 tons of CO2 emissions per year which would result from a combustion engine.
Air Cargo handling
Cargo lifters under power
The workhorses of the air cargo industry on the ground are the high-loaders, main-deck loaders and other mobile platforms that can lift cargo containers and pallets into the bellies and tubes of passenger and cargo aircraft. In just a few minutes, lifters can transport over 100 tons of payload to the largest cargo aircraft. And here, too, electricity has started to replace diesel. A common model, the Champ 70, made by Trepel, can lift up to seven tons of freight to a height of 5.60 meters – in just 12 seconds.
Ramp handling
Ground power units
If an airplane makes a stopover, its engines also take a break. In the meantime, the energy required for lighting, air conditioning and hydraulic systems is often supplied by a ground power unit. Most of these are still diesel gensets, which are standard equipment at many apron positions. But the future is electric here too – and this offers several advantages. For example, a battery-powered unit emits no greenhouse gases, makes no noise whatsoever and thus also improves the working climate for our employees. And within a few years, the minimal maintenance and significantly lower energy costs easily make up for the higher acquisition costs of battery-powered units.
Decarbonization in action
Fully electric turnaround in Switzerland
Swissport successfully completed a fully electric aircraft turnaround at Geneva Airport, demonstrating that end-to-end ground handling operations can be performed using electric ground support equipment in live operational conditions. This milestone reflects the continued rollout of eco-powered ground operations across our network and supports airline and airport partners in reducing ground-related emissions.