Swissport Pledges €1.5 Billion for World’s Largest Electric Ground Support Equipment
Swissport, the renowned ground handling behemoth, has unveiled an ambitious €1.5 billion investment plan spanning over the next five years. This initiative aims to electrify its global ground support equipment (GSE) fleet, thereby setting the stage for the world’s largest electric GSE operation. Operating in over 300 airports across 45 countries, Swissport plans to acquire more than 30,000 electric vehicles and implement related infrastructure upgrades.
This significant investment marks a substantial leap in Swissport’s sustainability efforts. The company has set a target to achieve 70% electrification of its motorized GSE fleet by 2032, a considerable increase from the current 25%. With approximately 14,500 motorized units worldwide, Swissport is the aviation industry’s largest purchaser of new electric ground support equipment.
The transition to electric vehicles offers a plethora of operational benefits. These include:
- Quieter vehicles
- Lower maintenance costs
- Increased automation potential
- Enhanced safety features such as anti-collision systems
Key European hubs are spearheading this rollout. All three Swiss airports are on track to achieve 55% electrification by the end of 2025. In contrast, Amsterdam Schiphol has already reached 100% electric GSE as of February 2025.
Source: Swissport