Low emission ground services: „Green Gate“ at Frankfurt Airport opened

From „Airport to E-PORT“: The E-PORT AN initiative partners are driving electric mobility on the apron forward and making projects visible to passengers

Up to 20 different vehicles are used to service an aircraft. As a first step E-PORT AN is consolidating existing electric vehicles and integrating new electrically driven developments into the aircraft servicing process. Emissions and noise will thus be reduced, improving both the environmental footprint and working conditions on the apron. In addition, the effect of large-scale use of electric vehicles on the airport´s power grid is being considered. The aim of all E-PORT AN participants is to deploy more electric vehicles and thus come closer to the vision of a “green” aircraft ground servicing.

Quotes from the participants
Norbert Barthle, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure:
“The use of electric vehicles in aircraft servicing and rolling and towing traffic can substantially reduce noise and emissions at airports. This protects the environment and the staff on the ground. As part of the Rhine-Main model electro-mobility region, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is funding the E-PORT AN project with a total of eight million euros. I am delighted that from today passengers on the spot can inform themselves about this `Green ground service´. Simultaneously incentives for imitation are created, because the added value of electro-mobile aircraft servicing for the future is obvious.”

Tarek Al-Wazir, Hessian Minister of Economics, Energy, Transport and Regional Development (HMWEVL):
“As a transit state in the middle of Germany and Europe, Hesse is highly dependent on mobility and this mobility must be sustainable. Therefore, we welcome and support the commitment of the Frankfurt Airport to reduce the noise and pollutant emissions in air traffic. E-PORT AN is a pioneering project that deserves to be made visible. Practical concepts for the sustainable mobility of tomorrow are essential for Hesse as a business hub.”

Dr. Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport AG:
“In addition to the energy optimisation of the terminal, the use of electric vehicles at the airport is an essential starting point for us to reduce CO2 emissions. Electrically powered vehicles are principally ideal for use at airports with, as here is the case, short-haul traffic. This is especially true for special vehicles for aircraft servicing, such as towing vehicles, ground support equipment or pallet trucks. We want the proportion of special electric vehicles used here on-site to further increase.”

Klaus Froese, Board Member, Operations & Hub Frankfurt, Lufthansa German Airlines:
“We are pleased to present our electric mobility projects at the ‘Green Gate’. Thus our passengers can enjoy not only the usual Lufthansa quality on their flight, but beyond that also experience a green ground service. In addition to our investment in particularly efficient and low-noise aircraft, we are also engaged in innovation on the ground. With the TaxiBot, for example, we have a worldwide unique aircraft tug with hybrid drive, which can be controlled on its way to the runway by the pilot himself. Since he pulls the plane without running engines to the takeoff runway, our ground processes will be not only quieter, but we also save fuel and protect the environment.”

E-PORT AN
E-PORT AN is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure via the Rhine-Main model electro-mobility region. The model electro-mobility regions are nationally coordinated by the NOW GmbH National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. The regional co-ordination lies at the project management centre of the Rhine-Main model region, which in turn is located at the Stadtwerke Offenbach Holding GmbH. Through the integration of E-PORT AN in the state “Strom bewegt” (“Power moves”) initiative the visibility of the project of the airport environment and beyond is ensured.

12.10.2015