Powerful equipment moves larger aircraft
The electrification of the apron at Cologne Bonn Airport is making strong progress. The airport fleet is being expanded to include two electric aircraft tow tractors of the latest generation, which will replace the previous diesel-powered models. These new electric models can tow and push back very large aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 777.
‘These new devices are a very effective way of strengthening our climate protection activities. By purchasing additional high-performance electric aircraft tow tractors, our airport is further reducing CO2,’ says Thilo Schmid, CEO of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. “By 2035 at the latest, all vehicles and equipment on the apron at Cologne Bonn Airport will be fully equipped with CO2-neutral drives,” says Schmid.
Since aircraft cannot back up under their own power, towing tractors – also known as pushers – are needed to move the aircraft from its parking position to a taxiway. The new electric aircraft pushers from Goldhofer are significantly quieter and more powerful than previous electric models. Other advantages include a higher battery capacity and an additional fast-charging option. This means that more pushbacks can be carried out between charges than before. In fast-charging mode, the battery is fully charged in just over two hours.
E-tractors replace diesel-powered models with comparable towing performance and are rechargeable and emission-free. These are already in use at Cologne Bonn Airport alongside electric buses, passenger stairs, conveyor belts, ground power units (e-GPUs) and baggage tractors. Meanwhile, the equipment technology is continuously being optimised and the fleet modernised.
Climate protection has been on the airport's agenda for more than a decade. The airport aims to be completely climate-neutral by 2045 at the latest.
The electrification of mobile ground power units has also already been successfully launched at Cologne Bonn Airport. The first of a total of ten fully electric ground power units (e-GPUs) arrived at the beginning of October to replace conventional diesel-powered units. Fifteen more units will follow over the course of next year.
