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Spain at the forefront of green handling revolution

[ January 19, 2023   //   ]

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) says its Spanish cargo and ground handling operations are spearheading the group’s ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’ program with a series of emission-reduction initiatives and at its seven airport stations.

WFS’ ground support equipment (GSE) fleet in Spain is now 89% electric for all cargo handling operations as well as 30% of ramp handling equipment. This includes electric towing tractors, passenger stairs and belt loaders, aircraft pushback tugs, and other heavy-duty vehicles. WFS Spain’s ‘Going Green Team’ are also continuing to test new green GSE and collaborating with start-up companies to evaluate the introduction of new types of electrically powered equipment, equipment engine conversions to hydrogen, and other electric devices, such as small cars and last mile vehicles. Trials of solar-powered aircraft steps and electric ground power units have also been conducted.

The company’s airport stations in Barcelona, Madrid, Asturias, Santiago de Compostela, Sevilla, Valencia, and Vitoria are also the latest operations across WFS’ global network to be powered by 100% renewable energy. WFS has also signed a contract with green energy supplier, Plenitude, which has achieved 100% renewable energy status for all cargo stations in Spain.

To ensure equipment and vehicles are used as efficiently as possible, new @XOPS telematic geolocation systems have been installed to track and monitor usage. WFS is also participating in a specific initiative to pool some handling vehicles at Spanish airports between different ramp operators to eliminate equipment redundancy in 2023.   

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