DHL Express UK has announced a £16 million investment in electric ground service vehicles and infrastructure at East Midlands Airport (EMA), UK. The post DHL Express invests £16m in electric ground service equipment at East Midlands Airport appeared first...
DHL Express UK has announced a £16 million investment in electric ground service vehicles and infrastructure at East Midlands Airport (EMA), UK.
Split across three years, the investment will see the introduction of 100 pieces of new electric ground service equipment as the organisation aims to make its airport ground handling operation fully electric by 2032.
The new equipment includes 28 electric tugs, five state-of-the-art electric ‘nose lifter’ vehicles which lift aircrafts to push them back from their parking stands, five high-loaders and six electric belt-loaders to loose load shipments.
DHL Express UK states the investment is part of a wider commitment to making DHL’s International Express operation more sustainable and follows recent major announcements such as DHL’s investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the addition of new fuel-efficient 777 Freighters.
James Neill, vice president of operations EMA Hub at DHL Express UK, said: “We are excited to be making this investment in our operations at EMA and showcase our commitment to using the latest green innovations.
“As well as making progress in reducing emissions resulting directly from flights and aviation fuel, it’s important that we’re looking at every aspect of our operation to make gains everywhere we can.”
Steve Griffiths, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: “DHL’s investment is a positive development as we, as an industry, take steps to decarbonise.
“We’re committed to becoming a net zero airport by 2038 and innovations like DHL’s help move us a step closer to that goal.
“As the UK’s largest pure air cargo hub, the port of East Midlands Freeport, an early adopter of green innovation in the aviation industry and a site with further untapped potential, I believe there is a bright future for us.”
To drive further improvements to its airport ground handling operation, DHL is investing an additional £7 million in replacing and enhancing non-electric ground support equipment such as de-icing rigs.
READ MORE NEWS: Joramco and DHL renew maintenance agreement
An electric ‘nose lifter’
The post DHL Express invests £16m in electric ground service equipment at East Midlands Airport appeared first on Aviation Business News.