Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) completed a €15 million ($18 million) project to electrify its airside ground services infrastructure.
The project, which took place over 15 months, aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while aircraft are being serviced. The French airport now has 12 electrified aircraft stands.
“The electrification of ground operations is an immediate lever for reducing the carbon footprint of airlines and ground handling companies, which account for an airport’s indirect emissions,” NTE said. “Thanks to these new facilities, aircraft parked at contact stands can now be supplied with electricity and air conditioning without using auxiliary power units or thermal equipment.”
The airport also added 100 electric charging points across its apron for electric vehicles operating airside. Chargers are available for light vehicles, baggage tractors, refueling vehicles and buses.
NTE has previously said it is transitioning its ground services fleet from gas to electric and hybrid vehicles. At least one-third of its gas-powered ground fleet had been replaced with electric or hybrid vehicles as of last year.
“This modernization significantly reduces the use of fossil fuels and can cut greenhouse gas emissions from ground operations by up to 50%,” NTE said.
The European Union provided nearly €4.5 million of the funding for the project. “By electrifying aircraft stands and deploying charging stations for ground support equipment, we are helping to reduce emissions from airlines and ground handling companies,” NTE CEO Guillaume Dubois said.
According to CAPA – Centre for Aviation data, NTE is connected to 51 destinations—including 28 in Europe and 14 in Africa—by 17 airlines. Vinci Airports operates NTE.
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