While aviation struggles to find its post-pandemic feet, the GSE sector has its sights firmly set on the environment, finds Tom Batchelor
For the aviation industry to meet its ambitious, self-imposed climate targets, a cross-sector effort is required, encompassing changes both in the air and on the ground. Just like airframe and engine manufacturers and their airline customers, airports and the network of ground handling suppliers must step up to the plate. Providers of ground support equipment (GSE) have enthusiastically embraced the task of shrinking the carbon footprints of their GSE portfolios, with everything from vegetable-oil-powered vehicles to digital monitoring technology – and even the use of recycled fishing nets – helping to lessen the environmental impact of their operations. In recent years, pressure has intensified, with the pan-European Destination 2050 initiative – which seeks to chart a route to net-zero European aviation – now urging airlines and airports to place sustainability requirements at the heart of new tenders for handling services and GSE.
