Sustainable Ground Support Operations Gain Momentum

As the aviation industry is increasingly required to reduce its environmental footprint, ground handling operations have emerged as a field for the industry’ sustainability transformation and they are presenting opportunities for innovation and environmental stewardship.

Ground handling companies are pioneering electrification programs, implementing smart logistics solutions, and adopting data-driven approaches to slash their environmental impact. With high current benchmarks and even higher targets for electric fleet compositions, the industry is demonstrating that operational effectiveness and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

This transformation extends beyond electrified equipment upgrades. Advanced telematics, artificial intelligence, and predictive maintenance are being leveraged to optimize several operational aspects, while navigating an increasingly complex landscape of environmental regulations and certification requirements.

Environmental impact of ground handling

Mathias Holmberg, Group ESG manager at Aviator Airport Alliance, affirms that emissions are considered the primary environmental impact of ground support operations. “When we interview our stakeholders, emissions, followed by noise, are generally considered the top two priorities for mitigation. With the increasing use of electric ground support equipment (e-GSE), both emissions and noise levels are decreasing," he says.

“We currently monitor our total Scope 1 emissions from GSE, as well as Scope 1 emissions for each turnaround. In addition to electrifying our GSE, we also use HVO100, a fully renewable biofuel, which represents our second most effective mitigation strategy. HVO100 can reduce emissions by 80 to 90% compared to diesel. By the end of 2025, we will operate entirely fossil free in Sweden. This milestone has been achieved through the use of 100% renewable energy and HVO100."

While carbon emissions are the primary focus, other topics also need to be on the environmental agenda for ground handlers, observes Manuel Berger, Global Head of Sustainability at Swissport.

“Climate change clearly is our environmental priority at Swissport. Therefore, we committed to increasing our share of electric GSE to 55% by 2032 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We have a global action plan in place to reach these targets," he says.

“However, our environmental impact extends beyond carbon emissions. To address this, we have implemented a comprehensive environmental management system worldwide, ensuring adherence to internationally recognized standards, with all our stations certified to ISO 14001. Beyond carbon, a key focus is advancing circular economy principles, which includes proper disposal of ground support equipment, responsible management of waste from cabin cleaning, and safe handling of materials in our repair and maintenance workshops.”

dnata adopts a data-driven approach to understanding and managing its impact on climate change, according to Lara Seymour, senior manager of environment affairs at dnata.

“We assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all our operations and supply chain, tracking fuel consumption, energy use, and other key factors that contribute to our environmental impact. This allows us to evaluate our performance and identify opportunities for improvement," she says.

“Progress, challenges, and opportunities are reviewed during regular meetings of the environment & sustainability action group and during meetings of our HSE board with the executive committee."

Transitioning to electric power

Globally, the adoption rate of e-GSE at airports is around 15-to-25%, according to Holmberg.

“However, many major airports have ambitious goals to increase this percentage to 50% by 2030. At Aviator, our GSE fleet is already 57% electric. Tugs, passenger stairlifts, and conveyor belt loaders have led the transition, with investment in electric options growing over the last decade. In addition, electric tow trucks are becoming increasingly common," he says.

Berger notes that by mid-2025, over 25% of Swissport’s global motorized fleet is already electric. “Swissport operates the largest fleet of ground support equipment globally, approximately 14,500 motorized units across all continents. While we have reached electrification levels of 50% and above in European countries such as Switzerland, we also drive forward our engagement in other parts of the world.

"In Morocco, for instance, we are close to reaching 30% of e-GSE”, he says. “Given our size, we are leading the purchase of new electric equipment with our supply chain partners. To ensure a global approach, we implemented a global procurement policy that is gradually transitioning to procuring only electric wherever possible.”

Seymour points out that the global fleet decarbonization strategy focuses on the gradual phase-out of diesel engines and the future transition to electric, hybrid, or hydrogen alternatives, tailored to the infrastructure and operating conditions of each location.

“As a result, over 40% of dnata’s fleet is electric in key markets, including Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom," she says. “We also actively collaborate with biofuel suppliers to reduce emissions. More recently, we transitioned our entire non-electric airside fleet to biodiesel across our extensive Dubai operations, achieving significant carbon reductions while maintaining operational excellence in one of the world’s leading transportation and logistics hubs."

Reduced fuel consumption and predictive maintenance

Many grounds handling companies, including Aviator, now use GPS tracking systems, which allow them to monitor GSE usage and optimize equipment routes, according to Holmberg.

dnata monitors the fuel consumption of the entire GSE fleet using vehicle tracking management systems at its main hub in Dubai and it is implementing this technology at other locations worldwide, Seymour observes.

“We also conduct logistics mapping exercises to ensure minimum distances are travelled within the flight area. We also optimise shifts and parking spaces to avoid excessive fuel consumption," she says.

Swissport optimizes routes and procedures to reduce fuel consumption through data analytics, telematics, and artificial intelligence-based systems, according to Berger. “Efficiency is ensured by matching the most suitable equipment for each task, segmenting fleets by function, and monitoring driver behaviour to minimise downtime while improving safety standards. For example, our telematics governance model maximizes asset utilization and reduces unnecessary travel, directly reducing fuel consumption and emissions," he says. “Predictive maintenance further improves GSE efficiency by promptly detecting potential equipment issues through continuous condition monitoring. This reduces downtime, extends asset life, and ensures vehicles operate at peak performance. Integrated with Swissport’s fleet management software, predictive diagnostics enable timely interventions that prevent costly breakdowns, maintain operational reliability, and support our sustainability goals."

Environmental regulation and sustainability

Airports and ground handlers must comply with EU and national environmental regulations and increasingly strive for net-zero emissions, Holmberg points out.

“Among sustainability certifications, Airport Carbon Accreditation is widely used at airports, while the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is frequently adopted by ground handlers. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is also widely used as a guide for setting climate change targets," he says.

Berger observes that airports and ground handlers must comply with a range of environmental regulations, including diesel emissions standards such as Tier 3 and Stage 5, which vary significantly by region.

“European airports are increasingly implementing electrification requirements, although global adoption is uneven due to infrastructure limitations. Ground handlers also adhere to strict policies regarding waste management, pollution prevention, for example fuel spill controls, and biodiversity protection, in line with local laws and international protocols," he says.

“Among the sustainability certifications that have become industry standards is ISO 14001, particularly in Europe, for both airline customers and airports. Swissport achieved ISO 14001 certification globally across all its airports last year. Furthermore, Swissport has been ranked among the top 1% of companies globally by EcoVadis for sustainability performance, an increasingly sought-after assessment by customers and a key requirement for ground operators to demonstrate their sustainability maturity."

Ongoing transition

The transition to environmentally responsible ground operations is already underway and accelerating rapidly. The convergence of technological innovation, regulatory pressure, and market demand is driving change across the sector. Electric GSE adoption rates are high. Meanwhile, the integration of biofuels, advanced analytics, and predictive maintenance systems is creating operational efficiencies that deliver both environmental and economic benefits.

The most effective approaches combine strategic vision with granular operational data and regulatory compliance with voluntary certification programs. With clear pathways to net-zero emissions emerging through electrification, alternative fuels, and operational optimization, the industry is well set to complete this essential transformation.