Global airline industry revenues are expected to surpass the trillion-dollar mark for the first time ever this year, according to IATA. And with Airbus forecasting more than 42,000 new aircraft deliveries over the next 20 years, growing demand for ground support equipment is clear.

The GSE sector is facing its own boom, with manufacturers reporting a strong recovery in sales in 2024 compared to the immediate post-Covid years, as we explored in our Spring 2025 edition. Where growth is found innovation follows, OEMs tell Airside.

GSE companies are focused heavily today on driving efficiency, safety and sustainability for their airline, airport and ground handling customers. Electrification of ground support equipment continues at pace globally – and manufacturers are finding new ways to innovate through adoption of efficiency-enhancing technologies, including artificial intelligence, telemetry systems and automation.

These trends show no signs of slowing down. In this issue, we deliver the latest developments in the GSE sector – this time focusing on aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, ground power units and water and lavatory service trucks as well as our analysis of the equipment leasing and rental market.

We also bring you a comprehensive report on airport infrastructure developments in Australia as Western Sydney gears up for launch in 2026, in addition to an exclusive interview with Ground Team Red on GSE procurement trends, keeping up our coverage of the Asia-Pacific region.

Continuing our ‘New Product Showcase’ section, we gain insights on Mallaghan’s new CT6000E catering truck unveiled for the North American ground handling market in January this year, and hear how one GSE boss aims to revolutionise electrification conversion in our newly launched ‘CEO Q&A’ segment.

But the industry still faces challenges – and the rising rate of aircraft ground damage is one. We explore this in detail too.

We hope you enjoy the issue.