Airport launches another forward-looking investment programme for climate-friendly infrastructure.
Airport receives record EU funding of 9.75 million euros for five major projects.
Major investment in sustainability: Cologne Bonn Airport is actively driving forward the development of climate-friendly infrastructure and the use of renewable energy through a comprehensive package of measures. The airport is investing €33.25 million in five new sustainability projects. These include the further electrification of aircraft handling on the aprons, the large-scale expansion of additional charging stations for electric vehicles, and the procurement of new electrical equipment. For this innovative package of measures, the airport is receiving a record grant of 9.75 million euros from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The airport had submitted the application together with five other European locations under the leadership of Airports Council International Europe (ACI). It is now receiving the highest funding amount under the ACI initiative for its project package.
“We are taking ambitious steps towards the future-proof and sustainable development of the airport. I am therefore particularly pleased that, with almost €10 million, we will receive the highest funding for our planned investment package,” says Thilo Schmid, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. “The expansion of modern energy and charging infrastructure, as well as the steadily growing use of zero-emission technology, are making our operations more climate-friendly step by step, whilst at the same time strengthening the performance of our site.”
Chief Operating Officer Cenk Özöztürk explains: “For our airport operations, these measures represent a significant modernisation boost. We are consistently developing our flight operations infrastructure, electrifying key areas and continuously integrating renewable energies. In this way, we are laying the foundations to ensure that the processes on our aprons consistently contribute to our sustainability goals.”
Five key measures are being implemented at Cologne Bonn Airport: 38 additional charging points for electric vehicles and electrically powered equipment are being installed on the aprons. This project also includes the installation and expansion of transformers. The second measure involves the creation of 86 further new charging stations for e-mobility across the rest of the airport grounds. In addition, extra charging points for electric buses are being installed.
The third project involves integrating two planned agri-photovoltaic systems into the airport’s power grid. Furthermore, a total of 16 so-called Pre-Conditioned Air (PCA) systems will be installed at the two terminals to heat or cool aircraft at their parking positions whilst the auxiliary power units are switched off. As part of the fifth measure, 15 further electric ground power units (E-GPU) will be procured to replace conventional diesel generators.
All measures contribute to a significant reduction in CO₂e emissions at the airport. Once the projects are completed, approximately 6,000 tonnes of CO₂e will be saved annually. At the same time, noise and dust pollution will be significantly reduced. Together, these measures reinforce the airport’s ongoing comprehensive sustainability activities. The overarching goal is to completely reduce its own emissions and achieve net zero carbon. This is to be achieved by 2035 for the aprons and by 2045 for the entire airport.
The projects are being funded under the CINEA programme “Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport”. Through this, the European Union supports the establishment and further development of infrastructure for alternative fuels along the trans-European transport network. Funding is provided for investments in high-performance infrastructure for climate-friendly energy sources, including high-performance electricity infrastructure at airports. The first half of the funding will be paid out in the first quarter of 2026, with the second half following completion of all projects, which is scheduled for the final quarter of 2028. Alongside Cologne/Bonn, the airports of Stuttgart, Graz, Vienna, Milan and Košice, as well as Evia Aero GmbH, are part of the ACI winning group.
