From solar-powered passenger stairs to electric pushback tractors, Airside reveals insights into how GSE manufacturer Timsan ensures that it doesn’t fall behind
On hot, sunny tarmacs from Doha to Perth, a different kind of passenger stair is quietly changing ground operations, making them greener and more energy efficient. The TPS4000S Towable Passenger Stair, equipped with a large solar canopy and adjustable height options, is designed for airports with long, sun-filled summers. Manufactured in Turkey by Timsan, it represents the company’s approach to combining practicality with environmentally conscious design in ground support equipment.
“Our solar-panelled passenger stairs [are] the most environmentally friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and zero-energy waste ground support equipment in their category,” says Timsan sales manager, Bergüzar Ulusoy. Some of its main technical features include: 1800mm – 4000mm min/max service height, 1200mm step width, 4.5 kW power pack, 240 Ah battery, and a hydrostatic drive.
The company has now been operating for more than 40 years, and according to Ulusoy, exports to 70 countries worldwide. Timsan is “selling 80% of its production volume to foreign markets”, he says. Some of its customers include Menzies, Swissport and Skyserve, along with military clients from NATO, Italy and South Korea.
The European market accounts for over half of all Timsan’s belt loader sales, followed by Asia. But CEO, Haldun Aksoy, revealed to Airside in a previous interview that he expects to see rising demand from operators in the Middle East.
Being the only company in Turkey producing a variety of products from basic GSE to highly specialised de-icing vehicles and A380 catering trucks, Timsan has quietly transformed itself from a regional supplier into a full-range GSE manufacturer.
“Our primary distinguishing feature from our competitors is our production of the aforementioned GSEs [de-icing vehicles, A380 catering trucks, towable passenger stairs, and others] which require strategic and advanced technology and are available from only a few manufacturers worldwide,” says Ulusoy.
Some of Timsan’s proudest innovations are its military K-loader, powerful enough to simultaneously move five pallets, equivalent to the weight of about 85 small cars; its pushback vehicle, which can tow 450 tonnes with a 300kN drawbar pull; and of course, its solar-powered towable passenger stairs, which has become very popular.
Many airports are under pressure to cut emissions on the ground as well as in the air. Almost half of London Gatwick’s airfield ground support equipment is now electric, including luggage tugs and aircraft loading systems, and 100% of Changi Airport’s baggage tractors are electrically powered. As such, creating well-performing electric and solar powered products is high on the checklist for GSE manufacturers.
An IATA study shows that the average EU country produces 35-52% less CO2 emissions and up to 8.3 dB(a) lower noise emissions per turnaround with electrical GSE in comparison to traditional GSE.
Leader in the global energy transformation, Electrovaya, showcased its new lithium-ion battery system products, designed specifically for airport GSE, at the International GSE Expo in Las Vegas this September.
“Airport GSE is an ideal application for our technology given the power demand, long product life span and safety requirement[s], and the growing global push for cleaner, quieter and more efficient operations on the tarmac,” said vice president, business and development, Dr Jeremy Dang in a press release detailing the new battery launch.
And Electrovaya is not alone in its push for electric GSEs. Timsan now offers a variety of its products in an electric option, from conveyor groups, to tow tractors, to lavatory service vehicles.
“Each product group is individually designed to ensure the most optimal product,” comments Ulusoy. The variety on offer from Timsan means that it can tailor to each of its customer’s budgets and operational priorities.
When asked what key trends are shaping the GSE market, Ulusoy named “green energy, carbon footprint, durability, sustainability and cost-effectivity”. Nonetheless, he shows little concern about the company keeping up with the rapidly evolving industry. “Since Timsan designs all of its products based on these principles, it will be able to easily adapt to evolving and changing trends,” he explains.
Ulusoy is not wrong. Timsan shows no sign of falling behind and has signed a new contract with a large Middle Eastern airline, becoming one of the carrier’s three conveyor suppliers for the next five years.
Ulusoy says that Timsan’s top priority for 2026 is to begin mass production of its most successful products through investments in its two new factories. This is expected to significantly increase output capacity while shortening manufacturing lead times, which is crucial as global demand for electric GSE outpaces supply.
While a solar-panelled roof on a passenger stair may not seem revolutionary, it is precisely these kinds of practical innovations from manufacturers like Timsan that keep GSE production moving forward.
