WIN2018

AVIOGEI targets transatlantic market

Aprilia, Italy-headquartered ground support equipment manufacturer AVIOGEI was at the IAGSE show to promote its expanding range of GSE in the North American market

In particular, AVIOGEI was showing off its environmental credentials: promoting three of its product types, all of which have electrically powered variants.
Erich Battagin, who was representing AVIOGEI at the event, says that the manufacturer is perhaps the world’s only GSE supplier to offer electric versions of all of its main products. And, of those, three product lines are being prioritised in North America: its electric belt loader, lavatory and water service units, and passenger stairs.
AVIOGEI had an example of its NT 280 E belt loader on display at the stand. Being electric, it does not have the noise and emissions problems of diesel equivalents, Battagin points out. Plus, being electric, it is also very low maintenance and, of course, needs no fuel.
Being a ‘walk behind’ unit, it is extremely safe for its operator, he continues, while a fully charged unit is able to operate without recharge for five or six days on average. It also recharges on a regular 110 Volt outlet, thus obviating the need for specialist charging points or stations on-airport.
The NT 280 E model has been on trial with Piedmont Airlines in the US. It builds on the success of its diesel cousin, AVIOGEI’s NT 280, which has been in operation across Europe for two decades or more.
The recent exhibition in Las Vegas was AVIOGEI’s first such North American show, and its products – especially those electric offerings – attracted a great deal of interest, Battagin confirms.
So, it’s a good thing that the company is ramping up its manufacturing capability. As of early October, AVIOGEI was in the final stages of setting up a manufacturing plant in Dallas for the sale of its electric belt loaders into the North and South American markets. The facility is expected to begin production early next year.

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