Swissport conducted the first complete aircraft turnaround in Swiss aviation using only electric ground support equipment (GSE), covering passenger disembarking and boarding, baggage and cargo handling, and aircraft servicing, allowing for lower CO2 emissions and a seamless turnaround operation.
The use of fully electric ground support equipment (GSE) – including baggage tractors, aircraft pushback tractors, passenger boarding stairs and conveyor belt loaders – illustrates Swissport’s targeted measures to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring operational efficiency, punctuality and full compliance with applicable safety regulations.
Swissport’s ongoing investments focus on the electrification of its GSE fleet to reduce environmental impact. At Geneva airport, over 60% of Swissport’s GSE fleet is already electric, including all baggage tractors and more than half of baggage belt loaders, ground power units, passenger boarding stairs and cars. Since 2024, Swissport has invested more than 3MCHF in electric ground support equipment in Geneva only.
Bruno Stefani, CEO of Switzerland, Italy & France, says: “As a leading airport ground handling provider, we are committed to actively contribute to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. In Switzerland, we are pioneers with more than 50% of our ground support equipment fleet already electrified.
“Working closely with our partners, airlines and airport infrastructure providers, every step we take in electrifying our fleet helps reduce emissions and supports a more sustainable future for air travel.
“Thanks to our strategic investments and operational expertise, Swissport continues to set the standard for sustainable ground handling.”
Swissport’s emissions reduction targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), provide a robust operational foundation for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
