José Manuel García Arrechea, airport and GSE business development manager at Air Rail, tells Airside that “what really sets us apart is a mix of proximity, flexibility and adaptability”
Could you tell Airside about Air Rail?
Air Rail’s story is one of constant evolution – from a small distributor in 1992 to a leading full-service partner for the airport and railway sectors today.
Over more than three decades, we’ve expanded from equipment supply into rental, maintenance and value-added services, always driven by innovation and keeping our customers at the heart of what we do.
For several years, we have successfully applied this model, helping our clients solve one of their biggest challenges: running their fleet efficiently.
Today, we operate directly with rentals in nine countries – mainly Spain, Portugal and Italy – managing a fleet of nearly 5,000 units and serving some of the most important ground handlers in Europe.
We offer a full range of GSE, with an average age of only four years, which is quite exceptional in this market. We are also the exclusive distributors of TLD in Spain and Portugal, and of YUTONG in Europe, having been pioneers in many of their products, such as TPX approvals and introducing innovative electric equipment.
What really sets us apart is a mix of proximity, flexibility and adaptability. Every project is unique to us: we understand that the needs of a small airport are not the same as those of a large one, or that a seasonal airport requires a different approach than a year-round one.
We create tailor-made solutions that help our clients optimise their operations and reduce environmental impact. It’s not an easy job, but our goal is to make sure that the equipment and its management contribute to smoother, more efficient ground handling operations.
How do you assess the GSE leasing market today compared to five years ago?
The last five years have brought major changes. Before the [Covid-19] pandemic, the market was dominated by longer, more rigid contracts, diesel fleets and very few digital management tools. Things are different now, and we are proud to have played an active role in that change.
There is a growing demand for flexible contracts that can adapt to peaks and drops in activity. We quickly understood that this is key for our clients, and it’s now part of our DNA.
Fleet electrification has gone from a trend to a regulatory and operational requirement. We adopted it early on by conviction, and time has proven us right.
Digitalisation and telemetry are now integrated into fleet management, making predictive maintenance and cost control easier. These tools help us give clients the flexibility they want.
Pooling is becoming more common as an alternative option. It’s not always the best solution, but more and more clients are asking about it, and we study whether it fits their specific situation.
The market is also more competitive, but that has opened opportunities for companies like ours – those who can respond quickly, scale effectively and offer sustainable solutions.
What do you identify as the key market drivers today?
Right now, we believe four powerful forces are reshaping the GSE rental landscape.
Sustainability and energy transition: regulatory pressure and net-zero goals are speeding up the renewal of fleets towards electric or hybrid models. Manufacturers have already reached similar operational capabilities across most equipment families. Now the challenge is ensuring that airports have the infrastructure to charge them fast enough.
Flexibility in resource management: operators need to adapt to changes in demand in record time. They look for partners who can respond in days, not months.
Operational and technological efficiency: using telemetry, predictive maintenance and data analysis tools allows operators to get the most from their fleets, reduce downtime and improve return on the investment.
Our philosophy: at Air Rail, we adapt to the client, not the other way around. We prefer long-term relationships and are willing to make extra efforts to achieve them.
All these factors are pushing many operators to choose rental instead of ownership, as it gives them greater control.
How is Air Rail supporting the industry’s sustainability goals?
Sustainability isn’t just a target for us – it’s been part of our strategy for years. We’ve been aiming to lead in this field well ahead of regulations. Today, over 70% of our fleet is electric, the highest share in the sector, thanks to forward planning and consistent investment.
We are convinced that airports are the perfect environment for electric equipment. We have worked closely with manufacturers to improve products based on client feedback, and we have been pioneers in many areas – for example, introducing the first 100% electric bus in Europe in 2019.
We have also worked side by side with airport authorities like Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation) to support the transition, which still has a long way to go. We’ve carried out several electrification projects on diesel equipment and are now studying their performance and costs.
Our full-service model and in-depth knowledge of both equipment and operations help us extend the life of our units through maintenance and predictive tools. Technology and data are key to reaching these objectives.
In July, it was announced that the investment management company IFM Investors had acquired a 75% stake in Air Rail. How will this affect the strategic direction of Air Rail moving forward?
This is a decisive step for us. IFM is one of the world’s leading infrastructure investment managers – they even own airports around the globe – and they share our long-term vision and strong commitment to sustainability.
You could say that nothing changes and everything changes. With their backing, we can speed up our international expansion, invest more ambitiously in electric fleets and advanced technology, and strengthen our position as a strategic partner for operators and airports.
Our identity, and company culture will remain the same. The difference is that with IFM’s support, we now have more resources and financial strength to take on bigger projects and enter new markets.
Are you working on any projects at the moment, and if so, can you share these with Airside?
From fleet renewals to new markets, there is plenty in motion now at Air Rail. Our projects reflect both our strategy and the new opportunities brought by IFM’s involvement.
On the technical side, we are renewing entire fleets in key airports, replacing diesel equipment with 100% electric units and adding the technology needed to get the most out of each one. Charging is a big part of this, so we are running fast-charging and energy management pilot programmes with regulators to optimise airport infrastructure.
We are also growing our rental business and developing new pooling projects that will help our clients maximise their operations.
Where is Air Rail looking to increase its footprint?
In terms of expansion in the leasing market, we are consolidating our position in Southern Europe, exploring new opportunities in Central and Northern Europe, and developing projects in the Americas. We have already entered Mexico and expect to expand to the US soon.
With our track record, IFM’s backing and our commitment to innovation, we are in a strong position to make this growth happen in the coming years.
As per distribution, we aim to get our YUTONG Bus to new European countries very soon, being already present in 10 different countries with such units.
Air Rail and IFM have joined forces to lead the sector, becoming stronger financially, more innovative technologically and more sustainable – while helping our clients and manufacturers remain world leaders.
