Swissport has committed to further invest in environmentally friendly equipment and by 2025 is aiming to increase its electric vehicle fleet to at least 50 per cent.
The ground handler revealed the target in its latest sustainability report and the move is part of a strategy to further reduce its carbon footprint and improve the direct working environment of its employees.
Swissport is looking reduce the use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles in favour of more efficient and environmentally friendly ground support equipment (GSE), especially electrically powered vehicles (eGSE).
Between 2016 and 2018, Swissport increased the number of eGSE from 925 to 2,420 vehicles, among them electrical cargo lifters and battery-powered aircraft pushback tractors.
“As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Swissport is committed to responsible business principles. We integrate sustainability into our decision-making,” said Eric Born, president & CEO of Swissport International, as the company published its 2019 Sustainability Report this week.
“Ultimately, sustainable business contributes to positive results and to value creation, increasing our flexibility to invest in environmentally friendly equipment and in social matters. With our ambitious multi-year fleet modernization program, Swissport will further raise the share of electrically powered vehicles to at least 50% by 2025 and continue to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Part of the total investment in state-of-the-art GSE is for the introduction of telematic systems into its global fleet. Telematics optimise equipment utilisation and contribute to a reduction of the fuel consumption.
Investing in eGSE can reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and the carbon footprint by up to 40 per cent at some airports, avoids harmful exhaust emissions and noise pollution and creates a healthier working environment for staff.
At Swissport, sustainability is integrated into the strategic and operational objectives. The company is currently preparing the implementation of a new group-wide environmental management system ready for 2020.
