ACI EUROPE RECOGNISES ELECTRIFICATION STRATEGY

Stuttgart Airport has been awarded the ACI Europe Eco-Innovation Award in recognition of its programme to electrify aircraft turnaround operations. The award, presented by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, acknowledges airports demonstrating innovation and leadership in environmental sustainability, emissions reduction and operational efficiency.

The airport was recognised for its comprehensive approach to implementing an all-electric turnaround process, covering ground handling activities from aircraft arrival through to departure.

PART OF THE STRZERO CARBON STRATEGY

The award supports Stuttgart Airport’s broader STRzero strategy, which aims to reduce the airport’s own greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040. Airport management has identified the electrification of ground operations as a key component of that objective.

According to Ulrich Heppe, Chief Executive Officer of Stuttgart Airport, the airport intends to conduct all aircraft ground handling activities using electric vehicles by 2030.

The airport describes the initiative as part of its ambition to become one of Europe’s leading sustainable airport operators.

THREE DECADES OF APRON ELECTRIFICATION

Stuttgart Airport’s move towards lower-emission ground operations has been underway for several decades. The airport introduced its first fuel-efficient hybrid baggage tug in 1991 and has continued to expand the use of electrically powered ground support equipment.

Since 2018, all passenger and baggage transport operations on the apron have been powered by battery-electric vehicles. A further milestone was reached in 2024 with the introduction of what the airport describes as the world’s first electric refuelling truck in the 40 cubic metre category, operated by fuel services provider Skytanking.

SIGNIFICANT EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS

According to Stuttgart Airport, its electric vehicle fleet reduces diesel consumption by approximately 1.16 million litres each year. Combined with the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) diesel, the airport reports that carbon dioxide emissions from its apron fleet have been reduced by more than 90 per cent.

ACI Europe represents more than 600 airports across the continent and uses the Eco-Innovation Award to recognise projects that demonstrate practical approaches to improving environmental performance within airport operations.