The airport ground service provider announced that it is investing EUR 1.5 billion in doubling the number of electrified vehicles and switching to renewable energy sources over the next five years. Currently, 25% of the vehicles operated at freight or passenger terminals served by Swissport are fully electric and thus contribute to a reduction in the company’s CO2 footprint. Over the next 18 months, 1000+ hybrid and electric ground support equipment (GSE) will be deployed at Swissport facilities across 28 countries.
Already today, with approximately 14,500 motorized units, Swissport operates the largest GSE fleet at airports and terminals worldwide. Backed by the upcoming investment, it will be the largest utilizer of electric equipment in the global cargo and passenger sectors. Management emphasizes that, thanks to this scale, the service provider is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in airport operations by lowering greenhouse gas emissions step by step.
Swiss airports lead the Swissport pack
The current plan focusses on key European hubs and provides a clear roadmap for continued acceleration. Swiss airports stand out as a showcase of change from fossil fuel powered vehicles to electricity, with Zurich reaching an e-rate of 43%, Basel 51.4%, and Geneva even 59.4%. Basel and Zurich are on track to achieving the 55% electrification benchmark by the end of this year.
“We are delivering on our sustainability commitments with concrete actions,” comments Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International. “This investment in eco-tech is a decisive step and reflects our industry-leading position on sustainability and innovation […] Our strong commitment to clean energy also supports our airline customers’ climate goals by helping to reduce global supply chain emissions.”
Multiple benefits
The transition to electric equipment not only reduces carbon and particulate emissions but also enhances operational efficiency and reliability – delivering multiple benefits to airlines, airports, and employees. These include quieter, more comfortable vehicles, lower maintenance costs that boost equipment availability, increased automation potential, and enhanced safety through advanced features such as anti-collision systems, according to a company release.
The ground fleet’s modernization is complemented by Swissport’s aim to advancing renewable energy use across its global air cargo operations as part of its sustainability strategy. Meanwhile, the agent’s freight terminals in Barcelona and Madrid run entirely on renewable energy, cutting CO2 emissions by 305 tons annually. In Nairobi, a 100 KW solar grid installed in 2017, powers 35% to 40% of the energy needs for perishable cold rooms, supporting critical temperature-sensitive flowers and vegetables with clean energy. Frankfurt’s warehouse features the largest photovoltaic system at the airport, generating over 1.5 million kWh of sustainable solar power each year. These initiatives demonstrate Swissport’s dedication to reducing environmental impact and driving the green transition within the air cargo industry.
HAM invests in wind farm to achieve net zero by 2035
Over in Hamburg, airport management has signed a EUR 70 million contract with ENERCON GmbHto erect a wind farm of six units. The turbines, which are to be built 45 km off the airport and outside the entry and exit flight zones, are a central component of Hamburg Airport’s ‘Net Zero 2035’ climate strategy. The site is owned by the airport. Each windmill has an output of six megawatts, a hub height of 162 meters, and a rotor diameter of 175 meters.
HAM is investing a total of 250 million euros to reach the Net Zero target, come 2035. The wind farm is the largest single expenditure item within this investment budget. In addition to the ongoing conversion of the vehicle fleet and the switch to alternative drive systems, HAM is on track to becoming the first major airport in Germany to achieve zero CO₂ emissions on the ground in 10 years from now.
Once the project is officially authorized, the construction of the six windmills can immediately begin. Hamburg Airport expects the wind farm to be operational by the beginning of 2028.
