Welcome to the Spring 2020 issue of Airside International, whose theme is the environmental impact of airport apron operations and how that impact can be mitiugated. In particular, the conversion of GSE to electric power is a frequent feature within the pages of this magazine.

In Megan Ramsay’s examination of the changing world of high lifts and loaders, she looks at how suppliers of these specialised forms of GSE are increasingly moving to electric-powered options for environmentally conscious customers.

Meanwhile, Goldhofer has supplied one of its F11e electric tugs into a local German gateway, indicating that suppliers of many other types of GSE are seeing increasing demand for non fossil-fuel-powered equipment.

Airports and airlines are playing their part too; we have seen Etihad Airways and Brussels Airport collaborate recently on a special ‘eco-flight’ between the capitals of the UAE and Belgium, while dnata has turned around a flydubai flight at Dubai International Airport using only what it describes as ‘zero-emissions’ GSE.

Elsewhere, autonomy is another subject of investigation this Spring. Rob Coppinger investigates the potential of electric autonomous vehicles, while the editor was at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport to see the first public display of an autonomous baggage tractor demonstrating its capabilities on the French airport’s apron.

Also recently, Aurrigo – best known for its autonomous baggage dolly that has undergone trials at London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 – has developed a system to alert a dolly driver to unsecured baggage: a not insignificant problem on the ramp.

Numerous other technological developments are considered in this issue of Airside. Transpoco has worked closely with manufacturer Schmidt on a bespoke de-icing monitoring solution for Dublin Airport Authority, while Israel’s hoopo looks at the way asset visibility technology can be used to improve the efficiency of airside operations.

Fascinating work is being done by Sarcos Robotics of the US on easing the burden for workers in the aviation and other industries that need to move heavy loads on a regular basis. It is collaborating with Delta Air Lines on applications that might be of interest to the US carrier as regards its innovative Guardian XO exoskeleton.

Tri-Logical Technologies is offering GSE operators another weapon in their fight against ramp rash – collisions on the ramp involving GSE and aircraft – while a number of GSE suppliers have announced new product designs or improvements to existing lines. Mallaghan, for example, is to supply a large number of customised maintenance platform lifts (MPLs) to Delta, while Western Global is now marketing a range of transportable fuel tanks designed with the demands of the aviation industry in mind.

Finally, we talk to both ADELTE and Aviramp about the world of the airport boarding bridge and aircraft access infrastructure, while ramp training procedures and GSE leasing form two of the subjects of the bigger feature pieces within this issue.

We hope you enjoy the issue.