Sustainability has now become just as important as any other field of business. Airports can no longer keep sustainability off their main agenda and need to adapt to real time sustainable measures. Attempts to reduce aviation carbon emissions have been talked about for long. However, non-air borne emissions such as those generated by ground operations make up for relatively large part of total aviation related emissions.

Ground handling agencies selected by AAI have been asked to use battery operated vehicles, replacing diesel run tractors and buses (extract from The Hindu, dated 1st April 2011).

Airports realised that there are plethora of benefits on practicing sustainable measures and going green. These include low carbon footprint, noiseless operations, increased productivity, resource efficiency, decreased waste, environmental norms compliance among a host of others.

Comparing well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs for a selection of common conventional and electric drive vehicles:

Indigenous efforts by domestic industry

In Bangalore, Maini Materials Movement Pvt Ltd, the forerunners in eco-friendly MHE and passenger movement solutions have recognised the above requirement and designed products for the aerospace sector. The company offers eco-friendly electric platforms for various airport support vehicles like tow tugs, customised requirements for military and commercial aviation operations, etc.

The electric platforms not only reduce the carbon-footprints but also bring in associated advantage of reducing back end administration. These specially designed indigenous platforms will fit into the military aviation applications also. Many airbases of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have started using electric platforms for their operational and maintenance support. However, the Ministry of Defence must also provide proactive policies as enablers to bring in this vital change.

There are host of flight safety features designed and incorporated into the electric platform making it ideal for use in aviation sector. These features are designed to be adaptable for use in a given set of aviation applications. The products are also designed to comply with the safety requirements for use in the aviation environment.

The way forward: Green ground handling

Switching over to electric solutions for ground handling holds immense scope for improvement in conserving energy, fuel and reducing CO2 emissions. Electrification of ground support equipment and vehicles inside airports has been recognised as solution for greener and cleaner airports. Green initiatives not only create a sustainable airport on environmental aspects, but also on economic aspects.

Electric ground handling solutions optimally prepare airports and airlines for an economically successful and green future. These include:

• Electric luggage trolleys for passenger terminals 
• Electric buggies for passenger and crew movement 
• Electric buggies for medical emergencies 
• Electric material handling equipment for cargo terminals 
• Electric baggage tugs for apron area 
• Electric buggies for surveillance and fire safety, and 
• Electric material handling equipment for MRO bays.