Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Meet the Latest Arff Apparatus

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SUMMER 2021 #AIRSIDEINT

ON-AIRPORT EMERGENCY RESPONSE AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING: MEET THE LATEST ARFF APPARATUS

MANAGING WILDLIFE AND HABITATS AROUND AIR GATEWAYS AVOIDING RAMP RASH PAGE GSE THE LEADER IN BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY

PAGE GSE has been listening to their customer to determine, design, and introduce WHAT THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY WANTS AND NEEDS • 400 Hz & 28V DC Aircraft Ground Power Cable Assemblies – Single Jacket and Banded Power Cable Assemblies • Pre-Conditioned Air Hoses, Connectors, Reels & Trolleys • 400 Hz Test Equipment • Passenger Boarding Bridge Baggage Chutes • Gate Park Systems As our customers always say: www.pageindustries.com “IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!” Contents SUMMER 2021

04 Emergency vehicles

10 Taking wildlife and habitat management seriously Issue 54 www.airsideint.com

Content may not be 16 Providing an essential reproduced in any format passenger service without written permission from EVA International Media Ltd 04 22 Preventing aircraft damage: the Join the conversation technological edge Twitter: @airsideint Linkedin: /airsideinternational 26 Aviaco GSE delivers electric Advertising opportunities baggage tractors into Schiphol Contact Ian Talbot on: + 44 (0) 20 8253 4011 [email protected] 28 Buyer’s Assessment (BFS) Address changes and subscriptions: [email protected]

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The mention of specific companies or products in 40 Transtec meets changing articles or advertisements customer needs contained herein does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by EVA. 42 dnata focuses on the individual Published by: EVA International Media ltd 34 Boswell Cottage 19 South End, Croydon London, CR0 1BE, UK 44 Vestergaard’s e-BETA leaves the launch pad Tel: +44 (0) 20 8253 4000 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8603 7369 www.evaintmedia.com 46 Aurrigo launches innovative autonomous Auto-Dolly Printed by: The Manson Group Limited St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 6PZ, United Kingdom 48 Stuttgart Airport moves ahead on SmartFleet programme Distributed By: Seabourne Mail Services 4 Shuttleworth Road Elm Farm Industrial Estate 46 50 ThorDrive tests autonomous Bedford, MK41 0EP baggage tractor at Cincinnati

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 1 Editor’s NOTES Mike Bryant [email protected]

Welcome to the Summer 2021 issue of Aviaco, who offer customers a range of Airside International, in which we look once alternatives when it comes to equipment again at how GSE manufacturers, ground acquisition, as well as full-service service providers (GSPs), airlines and airport maintenance provision. operators are fighting their way through what are some of the hardest times the global Features include a look into the latest aviation industry has ever had to face. technologies available for preventing damage to aircraft and GSE on the ramp, the highly But it is by no means all doom and gloom. sophisticated and highly effective emergency Those suppliers supporting the sector firefighting vehicles used at airports to deal with continue to develop innovative systems fires and other emergencies, as well as how and equipment, and one of the themes airport operators are going about wildlife and of this issue is GSE automation. We talk habitat management within their perimeters. to ThorDrive and Aurrigo about their development of autonomous baggage Another feature assesses the current medical tractors, as well as Stuttgart Airport, lift market and how ambulift manufacturers which is currently hosting trials of another are meeting its needs. In addition, GSP autonomous baggage tug. dnata offers an overview of how it goes about looking after the particular needs of We learn more about Denmark-based passengers with restricted mobility. And the Vestergaard’s new electric e-BETA de-icer, final feature looks at the evolving technologies while GSE manufacturer ADELTE talks about associated with on-airport aircraft refuelling. its state-of-the-art ARCOS Remote Control Operating System for passenger boarding Finally, this issue’s regular Buyer’s bridges and India-based Transtec Overseas Assessment looks at ground handler offers an overview of how it is meeting Bangkok Flight Services’ use – and the changing needs of GSE operators in a appreciation of – the wireless Minerva Ajax pandemic-affected world. on-airport communications system.

We meet with GSE suppliers TCR and We hope you enjoy the issue.

James Sheridan Parveen Raja Ian Talbot Chairman Publisher Sales Manager [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Charlotte Willis Gemma Keen Alpha Diallo Office Manager Events Coordinator Graphic Designer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Shobhana Patel Salam Raja Ed Robertson Head of Finance Producer Editorial Director [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Keeping planes in the air starts with better communication on the ground.

Contact David Clark for rugged, reliable wireless communication system solutions to enhance the safety and efﬁ ciency of your ground support operations. Call 800-298-6235 (508-751-5800 Outside the USA) for a system demonstraton or visit www.davidclark.com for more information.

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Oshkosh’s Striker4x4

Emergency vehicles

Airports rely on their emergency services – and the latest equipment – for a wide range of responses to accidents and crises, potential and real. We meet two of the suppliers of state-of- the-art aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) apparatus, and a couple of the airports that use it

One of the biggest global providers says Jack Bermingham, business unit and is available in three main models of ARFF equipment is Oshkosh/Pierce director for Oshkosh Airport Products, – the Striker 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8. The Manufacturing. Pierce Manufacturing “Our team benefits from many models each have different firefighting and Oshkosh Airport Products are both technologies, manufacturing techniques agent capacities as the number of axles Oshkosh Corporation companies and form and procurement efficiencies that are increases, and each also offers a range part of its Fire and Emergency Segment. shared amongst both brands, which of capabilities. ultimately allows us to provide better All of Pierce and Oshkosh Airport value to our customers.” Bermingham says: “Our airport Products’ Fire and Emergency Segment customers worldwide face many vehicles are manufactured at Oshkosh The Striker ARFF vehicle is the flagship challenges to achieve their mission Fire and Emergency facilities and, product for Oshkosh Airport Products of keeping the travelling public safe.

4 Airside International | Summer 2021 EMERGENCY VEHICLES | FEATURE

The Striker ARFF vehicle has numerous options, configurations, engine selections, and safety features to help our customers One of CAG AES’s Rosenbauer ARFF achieve their mission while allowing vehicles; credit Changi airport operators and maintenance Airport Group personnel to work efficiently.”

In addition to its Striker vehicle, Oshkosh Airport Products also offers another ARFF product, the ARV, which is built on a European commercial chassis. Its rapid intervention vehicle, called the Stinger, is built on a Ford F-550 chassis to meet the Class 2 ARFF vehicle requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (each FAA class represents different firefighting agent Last line of defence capacities, of water, foam, dry chemical, etc). With more than 500 firefighters, the Airport cabins which allow safe stowage of equipment Emergency Service (AES) of Changi Airport while the team moves to the emergency site Lastly, Oshkosh offers a Striker ARFF Group (CAG) – the operator of Singapore’s as quickly as possible. Changi and Seletar airports – is responsible vehicle simulator that is built with for aircraft rescue and firefighting across air Water tender: Time is of the essence during genuine cabin parts and utilises stations in Singapore, including Changi Airport, aircraft rescue and firefighting, and having a simulated computer scenarios to Seletar Airport and the Republic of Singapore large water supply reduces the time needed for provide realistic ARFF training. The Air Force’s air bases. a response team to locate a water hydrant, Puar explains. The AES’s water tender is able to carry simulator can cut down on precious There are three main fire stations at Changi, a up to 12,000 litres of water, and is thus able to frontline vehicle time and wear, while satellite station and a Sea Rescue Base, with AES provide extensive replenishment of water to also allowing firefighters to conduct officers split into three teams to provide round- foam tenders during prolonged firefighting. real-life ARFF scenario drills. the-clock firefighting protection. Emergency air stairs: The AES was one of the Despite the impact on operations of Covid-19, first airport firefighting services in the world In 2019, Oshkosh saw its 5,000th ARFF flights continue to depart and land at Changi to place emergency air stairs equipment in its vehicle go into operation, and that number Airport and – as “the guardian of safety and inventory. A new and improved version was has continued to climb. Many of these last line of defence at the airport – it is critical added to the fleet in 2017. The vehicle can reach for the AES to maintain its level of firefighting heights of up to 8.45m, enabling firefighters vehicles are still in service; others will have and rescue capability”, says Puar Teck Jin, to access widebody aircraft such as the A380. been retired to reserve units. Oshkosh’s commander of civil operations at the AES. During emergencies, this vehicle can be used parts and service departments still provide not only to enable AES officers to enter the parts and technical assistance on vehicles “This is especially important as Changi aircraft for search and rescue missions, but also Airport prepares for the gradual reopening for passenger disembarkation. that have been fielded for 30 to 40 years. of international borders and resumption of [normal] travel,” he adds. Mobile command bus: The AES’s command Rosenbauer’s big cat: the PANTHER bus acts as a roving field headquarters for Leonding, Austria-headquartered A growing fleet different agencies and partners to monitor Two new vehicles were added to the AES fleet an ongoing situation and make critical Rosenbauer describes itself as the in 2020 – a foam carrier and a Rosenbauer decisions on site. It is equipped with advanced world’s largest firefighting technology water tender. The foam carrier can hold 10,000 technologies including a live video feed system provider. It offers vehicles, fire litres of foam, much more than foam tenders, to transmit real-time footage from the site of extinguishing systems, fire and safety enhancing AES’s firefighting capabilities in the an incident. event of prolonged operations, Puar notes. equipment and digital solutions for fire Mass casualty carrier: Designed and built to services and prevention. Vehicles operated by the AES include: quickly evacuate casualties from an incident site for rapid medical attention, the AES’s mass In its segment dedicated to airport Foam tenders: AES has a fleet of 12 foam casualty carrier can accommodate up to 10 lying tenders at Changi, consisting of both Oshkosh casualties or 40 standing and sitting persons at one applications, Rosenbauer offers the Striker and Rosenbauer PANTHER vehicles. time. It is also equipped with first aid equipment. PANTHER 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 ARFFs, the Despite their size, the foam tenders are able MT-Buffalo ARFF vehicle, its E8000 and to reach a top speed of 120km/hr and can go Hovercraft: The AES operates a Sea Rescue E5000 rescue stairs and the Airwolf from 0 to 80km/hr in under 32 seconds. These Base that is equipped to handle emergencies in vehicles have a maximum discharge rate of the waters surrounding Changi Airport. Among rapid intervention vehicle (RIV). Other 6,000 litres/minute, which allows the AES to the fleet of specialised emergency vessels based Rosenbauer products (such as various control and extinguish large-scale aircraft fires. there is the unit’s hovercraft, the only one of digital solutions) are also used at its kind in Singapore. The hovercraft has a top airports to support their fire prevention To ensure the safety of firefighters, the foam speed of 40 knots and a carrying capacity of tenders also have smart safety features such up to 50 casualties (plus an additional life raft and firefighting efforts. as Roll Stability Control and specially designed capacity of up to 325 casualties).

More than 2,000 of Rosenbauer’s

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 5 FEATURE | EMERGENCY VEHICLES signature PANTHER ARFFs are to be found at nearly 100 airports around the world. In January 2020, the 2,000th PANTHER was delivered to Fort Two of Toronto Pearson Airport’s ARFF vehicles; credit Kyle Taylor Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida. According to Rosenbauer, the PANTHER is used in all types of airports worldwide. It complies with all relevant international standards and can therefore be used without restriction, the company notes.

Demand for Rosenbauer’s ARFF vehicles has slowed as a result of the Covid- related fall in air traffic and the deferral of planned infrastructure investment in many parts of the world, the company confirms. Under these circumstances, many airport operators are keeping their vehicles in operation for longer and are investing in service instead. Toronto Pearson Fire & Emergency Services: ready to respond

However, airports’ firefighting capability, In what might be considered a ‘normal’ non- response, and medical emergencies. including the ARFF vehicles on hand, pandemic year, Canada’s Toronto Pearson Pre-Covid, Toronto Pearson Fire & Emergency must primarily be proportional to International Airport handles nearly half a million Services typically responded to an average of flights carrying around 50 million passengers nearly 6,000 emergency responses a year. the size of aircraft passing through and more than half a million tonnes of cargo. the gateway, rather than the number Unsurprisingly therefore, it needs a robust Despite the pandemic and the reduction in of flight movements at the airport. and efficient emergency response capability, flights through the airport, Toronto Pearson For those gateways handling a super supported by modern and effective ARFFs. Fire & Emergency Services has maintained its staffing levels. As Aitken points out, whatever jumbo, for example, an airport fire In fact, Toronto Pearson Fire & Emergency the airport’s operational intensity, “We are still brigade/service must have the required Services has close to 90 staff, with 69 responsible for the safety of staff, passengers quantities of extinguishing agent firefighters working on a four-platoon system. and all of the infrastructure at the airport.” available for handling an A380 fire, Each platoon has one platoon chief, two captains, two to three acting captains and 11 or As for the vehicles used by his firefighters, regardless of whether 10 land each day 12 firefighters. Aitken informs that his teams are equipped with or just one per week. four new Rosenbauer PANTHER ARFF vehicles, These firefighters operate out of three fire three Pierce structural apparatus, command Thus, even during the pandemic, stations situated around the airport. Two vehicles and four Oshkosh Strikers that serve as are located close to the airport runways, reserve apparatus and training school apparatus. airports have had to maintain their with a third station close to the front of the firefighting capacity. And there were terminals. “We also have a world-class fire The ARFFs are highly specialised; they can pierce also countries in which procurement prevention team that performs fire code through the skin of aircraft to apply water and volumes rose, largely compensating inspections and fire investigations,” observes foam, distribute high volumes of water/foam, Todd Aitken, the fire chief of Greater Toronto carry dry chemical and have infrared cameras for the general decline in demand, Airport Authority (GTAA) – operator of the to detect hot spots. “They are state of the art,” Rosenbauer observes. Markets in Canadian gateway. Aitken says. which there has been demand for its ARFF vehicles have included, for “What makes Toronto Pearson Fire & No new acquisitions are planned at Toronto Emergency Services unique is that we also run a Pearson for the short-term. “We will need to example, Japan and South Korea; the world-class training academy,” Aitken continues, slowly rotate out some of our older structural Spanish airport operator AENA has “the Fire & Emergency Services Training Institute apparatus; however, there is no apparatus also placed a larger PANTHER order (to (FESTI) – where firefighters from around the scheduled for delivery in the near future,” replace existing vehicles), as has Hong world train and develop their skills. FESTI is an Aitken confirms. accredited private career college that prepares Kong International Airport (as new students for a career in firefighting.” Finally, he points out the importance of procurement to support operations on Toronto Pearson Fire & Emergency Service’s its third runway). As might be expected, Toronto Pearson’s close collaboration with various partners. “We firefighters respond to a wide variety of have great working relationships with all of emergency responses. They are trained to be our mutual aid emergency response partners: Furthermore, the investment backlog there for aircraft responses, structural fires, Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services will certainly have to be caught up, as auto/car extrications, rope rescue, confined (municipal services), Peel Regional Paramedic ARFFs are a requirement for maintaining space rescue, hazardous materials spill and Services and Peel Regional Police.” flight operations, the company confirms. “The question will be how quickly the

6 Airside International | Summer 2021 EMERGENCY VEHICLES | FEATURE various markets can recover and start procurement programmes. Rosenbauer ARFFs at Düsseldorf Airport “We are taking a close look at technological and social change and the impact on fire departments and their organisation and technology. ARFF demand will also be affected by megatrends such as health, connectivity and neo-ecology,” a spokesperson says.

Like Rosenbauer, demand for Oshkosh’s products has been impacted by the pandemic. “The downturn in the aviation industry is undoubtedly real, and many airports worldwide have felt the impact as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bermingham opines. However: “ARFF vehicles are an essential piece of equipment for airports worldwide and no matter the volume of aircraft movement, airports still need to ensure their ARFF fleets are maintained and that they stay up to date with their planned fleet replacements to maintain commercial service.”

+86-631-3953327 www.guangtai.com.cn [email protected]

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 7 FEATURE | EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Rosenbauer PANTHER ARFFs at Germany’s Düsseldorf Airport

Pointing out that airports worldwide In January this year, Oshkosh Airport part of our product optimisation and have to meet a similar minimum level of Products introduced the next generation improvement process. requirements to ensure ARFF protection of its Striker ARFF vehicle. Newly optimised is standardised, he adds that Oshkosh has features include a focus on the modular “It must be our task to work together with positioned sales and service employees cab designed with the firefighter in mind. our customers on solutions for the future. around the globe, along with a trusted “The ARFF fire response is fast paced That is why we are also convinced that network of sales and service partners, “to and needs to occur in a timely manner. we will be able to offer the right solution ensure the highest level of support for The new Striker cabin offers operators a for our customers in the future,” the our customers regardless of the size or new approach to ease of use while also spokesperson concludes. location of their airport”. increasing their visibility and available safety features,” Bermingham says. Moreover: “At Oshkosh, we are confident the future of the aviation industry is bright. As for the longer term, ARFF customers Aviation will recover and continue to be a are always looking for additional Our airport growth market as the world continues to capabilities to improve their firefighting customers be more connected. ARFF will continue to efficiency, lower total cost of ownership be needed to ensure the protection of the and improve overall value to the airport, worldwide face traveling public, and airports will continue to he considers. “Oshkosh is continuously grow as the gate for communities’ economic looking at various industry megatrends many challenges access and leisure travel.” and listening to the voices of our to achieve their customer to ensure our innovations are R&D preparing our customers for the future.” mission of keeping At Oshkosh Airport Products, its R&D team remains focused on “continuing to The success of the PANTHER has the travelling develop innovations, build relationships driven Rosenbauer to deal with evolving and maintain loyalty among our customer customer needs, constantly improve public safe base by providing the most customised the product and make new capabilities and highest quality ARFF vehicles”, available, the company asserts. “This is Jack Bermingham Bermingham confirms. an ongoing process that takes place as Oshkosh

8 Airside International | Summer 2021

FEATURE | WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Ensuring that bird life presents the minimum possible risk to airport operations forms a key part of many airport operators’ wider habitat management strategy; pictured here is one very small part of the wildlife around Vancouver Airport in Canada Taking wildlife and habitat management seriously

Sustainability has become a key consideration for airport operators, just as it has for most other parts of the aviation industry. As well as being another element in ensuring that all airside operations are carried out safely and efficiently, it also means taking care of and managing the local habitat and its wildlife

For most airports, wildlife and habitat As such, sustainability is regarded as a key Its Sustainability team members work management forms part of a much element of HKIA’s ongoing operations. on marine and terrestrial ecology and wider remit than is generally recognised. Its sustainability initiatives incorporate a biodiversity issues. It also handles other A spokesperson for Airport Authority broad array of responsibilities, including environmental matters, such as carbon Hong Kong (AAHK), operator of Hong wildlife and habitat management. reduction – another big focus of the Kong International Airport (HKIA), airport operator. explains this succinctly: “AAHK has AAHK adopts, it says, an “airport-wide” a public service responsibility, which approach to environmental management; Partnership goes beyond revenue and financial this entails working closely with its “As a significant proportion of HKIA’s performance, to focus on the public business partners to manage, reduce and environmental footprint is beyond AAHK’s good and the community.” mitigate HKIA’s environmental impact. direct control, we place particular emphasis

10 Airside International | Summer 2021 WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT | FEATURE

Singapore Changi: making good use of innovative technology

Changi Airport Group (CAG), operator Among the more advanced technology of Far Eastern hub Singapore Changi available are Long Range Acoustic Devices Airport, also makes significant efforts (LRADs), large vehicle-mounted systems to prevent potential disruption caused that project sound waves to a distance of by local wildlife. And it is using some up to 3km to frighten the birds away. on encouraging our business partners interesting technology to help it to keep to participate in our environmental the skies above Changi Airport clear Also on hand are handheld aerolasers programmes,” the airport spokesperson says. of birds so that flight operations can that can fire a laser beam up to 2.5km. For AAHK, “On-airport habitats are continue safely and smoothly. The laser is harmless to birds, but they managed with the aim of balancing a perceive it as a physical danger, and will Using that technology is CAG’s Airside seek to move away. visually pleasing and colourful landscape Management Safety Inspection Team for airport users with a safe airfield (AMSIT), which consists of 12 people Another option is the stockwhip, one of where birdlife is deterred from important whose job is to ensure that the airport the latest additions to the wildlife dispersal operational areas. While on-airport area is kept free of birds, as well as other toolbox that AMSIT has available. Up to 8m habitats are carefully managed, AAHK also wildlife – amongst other tasks. in length, it makes a booming sound when strives to avoid and minimise operation cracked in the air, scaring wildlife away. and works’ impacts on biodiversity,” the From 6.30 every morning up to about Staff are specially trained to use the whip. spokesperson continues. 7.00 each evening, by which time birds have flown away to roost in the growing The measures to keep Changi clear darkness, AMSIT personnel patrol the of possibly dangerous birdlife are AAHK has implemented a range airfield, looking out for birds in areas supplemented by other efforts made by of ecological enhancement and around taxiways and runways, as well as the airport authority to keep the local conservation initiatives to help protect keeping an eye out for other animals that habitat from impinging on operations. and enhance important marine and might have wandered within the perimeter, For example, CAG’s horticulture team terrestrial ecology and habitats. such as dogs or monitor lizards. ensures that there are no fruit-bearing trees or plants, which would attract In fact, in conjunction with several of Certainly, the most usual problem is birds, animals, planted in the airport, while the its airport development projects, AAHK including swallows, mynas and swiftlets. engineering team keeps the grass around has made substantial commitments in Other species, like egrets, kites and eagles, the runways and taxiways cut short to can also be an issue, and each patrol can deter birds from feeding on grass seeds, or numerous areas relating to habitat and use different means to disperse the birds. nesting and hiding there. wildlife management over the years, including the creation of a marine park of about 2,400 hectares, intended to link existing nearby marine parks to

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 11 FEATURE | WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Vancouver Airport is located on Sea Island, and takes its local environmental responsibilities very seriously form a large interconnected protected Larger animals that are indigenous that serve to increase recyclables area of around 4,500 hectares in waters to Lantau Island (such as wild boar, separation and reduce the quantity of near the airport. porcupines, deer and others) rarely airport waste sent to landfill for disposal. intrude on the managed airport landscape AAHK is also working to enhance marine environment and therefore pose no Across the Pacific ecology and fisheries for the benefit of risk to people working at or using the On the other side of the wide expanse the marine environment in North Lantau airport. However, AAHK confirms that it of the Pacific, western Canada’s waters (HKIA is an island in its own right will continue to support and fund diverse Vancouver Airport also regards wildlife linked by road and rail connections to research and conservation efforts that considerations as a vital part of its overall the bigger Lantau Island) and beyond may help to improve wider understanding strategy. Indeed, says David Bradbeer, – including for the benefit of the local of important ecological resources in a wildlife program specialist at the Chinese White Dolphin (CWD), which western Hong Kong and ultimately inform Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA): “At uses waters near HKIA as part of its broader conservation efforts. YVR [Vancouver Airport], our primary range in the Pearl River Estuary. objective is to build, operate and maintain One such ongoing project it supports a safe, secure and environmentally In late 2016, AAHK established a Marine aims to strengthen measures to sustainable airport, which is why we have Ecology Enhancement Fund (MEEF) and conserve the Tung Chung river one of the most dynamic airport wildlife a Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF) catchment area right next to the airport. management programmes in the world.” with an investment of HK$400 million It seeks to engage the local community (US$51.6 million), and these funds have in raising awareness of the importance Vancouver Airport is located on Sea collectively funded over 30 projects of protecting the ecology of this region. Island, a few kilometres from the city it with a total value of over HK$44 million serves, and this places it in a unique sort ($5.7 million) up to 2020-21. The airport operator’s pledge to become of environment. Sea Island’s proximity to the world’s greenest airport serves as a the Fraser River delta also means that it is Numerous projects have helped goal and a driver to continuously improve home to several local bird species, as well as preserve the local wildlife habitat: not HKIA’s environmental performance, it migratory birds. “We have a responsibility just the conservation ecology of CWDs says, only part of which is wildlife and to ensure safe aircraft operations while across the Pearl River Estuary, but also habitat management. As such, AAHK has conserving wildlife,” says Bradbeer. To that programmes designed to optimise the a comprehensive sustainability strategy end, a dedicated YVR Wildlife team patrols value of peri-urban and small-scale in place that includes initiatives aimed at the airfield year-round. mangrove forests in the Pearl River reducing the airport’s carbon emissions estuary as fish habitats. and reducing energy, as well as projects For Bradbeer and his colleagues, “Habitat

12 Airside International | Summer 2021 WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT | FEATURE management is any manipulation of survey data is key to identifying the most (from the USDA) to assist with managing the airfield environment to make it less hazardous birds, and observations of wildlife and the airport environment. attractive for hazardous birds. YVR’s the airfield can help to identify the most approach to habitat management models attractive habitats, Bradbeer believes. DEN’s habitat management includes a Safety Management System. Risk managing, or excluding, the three basic assessments are necessary to determine Managing bird and other wildlife needs of all wildlife – food, cover and which species pose the greatest populations is also on the radar at Denver water. Each of these needs is different for hazard, and root cause analysis is used International Airport, in Colorado in the each individual species found within the to determine how these animals use US. The airport authority there – which greater ecosystem. Excluding or removing habitats at the airport. works under the aegis of the City & cover (such as mowing, installing security County of Denver Department of Aviation grates on culverts, removing trees and “For example, we identified gulls and – takes managing the risks wildlife pose to so on), as well as mitigating or managing dabbling ducks as hazardous species aviation and human safety very seriously. water sources, form the keystones to based on a tabulation of strike events DEN’s approach, it notes. and their prevalence in bird surveys. That responsibility encompasses aspects Shortly after, we developed an integrated of habitat management, wildlife exclusion, Reduction of food availability is also pest management programme to target hazing, partnership and education, regarded as important, and includes several invertebrate species that make explains the airport authority, through its education of the public and airport up the diet for these gulls and ducks. collaborative team of operations staff, its employees about properly disposing of Special consideration was required to sustainability team and US Department of waste and keeping worksites clean. choose an insecticide that would meet the Agriculture (USDA) employees. approval standards of YVR’s Salmon Safe Habitat management – the reduction certification,” he informs. All airside operations personnel at the of suitable wildlife habitat on airport airport are trained in identifying and property – by its very nature reduces Any airport can benefit from identifying managing wildlife hazards. In addition, the wildlife’s attraction to the airport; the habitats that attract hazardous birds. airport – popularly known as DEN – partners thereby, preserving the wildlife that Analysis of bird strike data and bird with four full-time wildlife professionals might otherwise become a strike

Helping Aviation become Leaner & Greener

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 13 FEATURE | WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT

with a unique numbered leg band and DEN’s operating authority carefully maintains translocated to the east, away from YVR. the ecosystem around the airport Special wing tags on the larger hawks help us understand the movement of the birds.”

Meanwhile, in the US, nature and scale continues to change due to many environmental variables as well as manmade variables, including but not limited to land-use changes on and around airport property, changes in demand for air travel, seasonal fluctuations of migrating wildlife, seasonal/annual climate variations (such as drought or higher-than-average precipitation), the team at DEN explains.

Being environmentally responsible Making environmentally responsible choices is very important to DEN, the team there confirms. These choices include selecting the best re-vegetation options for water/soil quality (erosion), while minimising wildlife attractants to risk. DEN also participates in hazing/ These commitments are relevant for the reduce strike risk and any management harassment of wildlife and a trap/relocate construction phase of the 3RS development impact on local populations. programme to move many species away programme and also include many from the airport environment. commitments for future airport operations: “DEN views habitat management as for example, the expected conservation part of our broader environmental Change over time benefits of the aforementioned marine strategy, and has taken a more holistic AAHK has been expanding the scale and park and enhancement funds that support approach to both land and wildlife coverage of its environmental initiatives diverse research and conservation efforts. management,” it asserts. “We recognise over time to include more participants the valuable ecosystem services that and aspects of the environment. As noted Climate change is an ongoing issue for many healthy landscapes provide and have been above, the airport authority has moved airport operators. At Vancouver: “Drainage working with Colorado State University beyond areas under AAHK’s direct sphere is a concern for wildlife hazards because and the USDA to more effectively and of control to proactively engage with of the heavy rains the airport receives in responsibly manage our land while airport business partners, multiplying winter,” Bradbeer notes. “The forecasted meeting operational and safety goals.” its beneficial impact through various changes in our climate are projecting more community-wide initiatives. intense periods of heavy winter rain, and DEN also notes: “Increasing biodiversity this will in turn increase the prevalence on airport property makes an already “We believe developing a robust of stormwater pooling on the airfield, complicated risk management issue even culture of sustainability throughout attracting water birds.” more complicated. Airport managers the organisation and in the airport generally focus on reducing vegetative community will strengthen our ability to Thus, he adds: “Consideration is being given diversity, thereby making wildlife use of operate and grow in today’s fast-changing to solutions for stormwater management in the airport environment, or risk, more environment,” the authority asserts. the face of these forecast changes.” predictable and manageable.”

HKIA has also been mindful of New ideas are key to meeting changes At a wider aviation industry level, AAHK environmental and habitat issues in the local environment. YVR is “always is amongst those airport operators while developing and expanding the working on new and innovative solutions who have participated in the global airport. For example, for the extensive to manage wildlife,” Bradbeer says. dialogue supporting the sustainable Three-Runway System (3RS) project, “One example is our Raptor Trap & development of aviation and airports. On a comprehensive Environmental Translocation Program. The Fraser River this, AAHK works closely with airports Impact Assessment was completed delta is home to the highest density of and trade associations, including the with wide-ranging environmental wintering raptors in Canada. To manage Airports Council International (ACI) mitigation measures and environmental this density, we operate a successful World Environment Standing Committee enhancements stipulated in an Raptor Trap & Translocation Program. and the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Environmental Permit. Once captured, the birds are tagged Environment Committee.

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we focused on self-propelled, electric- Providing an essential powered stairs. However, this does not mean that we did not have a change in our PRM-related equipment, and, this will be passenger service the second of our GSE types to be made available with electric power. Medical lifts, also known as ambulifts, are a much-valued element “This will happen soon and, in the of the service provided for passengers with restricted mobility meantime, our R&D department has (PRMs) boarding or leaving aircraft. A number of manufacturers updated the company’s DENGE Aircraft offer this specialised equipment to the market and they have each Proximity Detection System (DAPS – the latest version of the safe docking navigated their way through the recent hard times as best they system for our PRM vehicles), improving can, while continuing to supply medical lifts as and when needed software and making necessary additions to hardware.”

For Turkish GSE supplier DENGE Airport took the necessary actions in terms of Vienna, Austria-based Bulmor airground Equipment, “2020 was of course not cost cutting, as well as balancing our technologies has also had to adapt during as expected, due to the pandemic,” financial performance, besides decreasing the Covid-19 pandemic. When head of recalls managing director Murat Denge. the capacity. As a result, we did not face a sales Konrad Gruber spoke to Airside “However, we had enough orders from significant effect in 2020,” Denge affirms. International in spring, the company had our valuable customers who did not been in lockdown since November 2020. cancel, and this helped us to get through Every cloud has some silver lining. Demand had faded, as expected, over the the year safely. Moreover, since we have a “Since the workload in terms of course of 2020. Airport operators and wide range of products, we had sufficient production decreased, we used this to ground service providers had cut back orders to end the year fulfilling our our advantage,” he continues. “We have on their spend as the aviation industry decreased capacity.” prioritised research and development fell away and, says Gruber, “A myriad (R&D) and we have started to improve of originally planned investments were Furthermore, “We had foreseen the our electric-powered GSE portfolio. cancelled in 2020 or postponed to 2021.” consequences of the pandemic in advance, in early January 2020, and we “Since we already offered electric stairs, Nevertheless, Bulmor – which offers the

16 Airside International | Summer 2021 PRM EQUIPMENT | FEATURE innovative SideBull and FrontBull medical battery pack for full-day operation and a hope for a quick rebound. lifts to the airport market – has by no rapid and intermediate charging system.” means been idle, the company using the “But, on the other hand, there are still time to continue the development of a The project is expected to be finished so many travel restrictions in place, and fully electric SideBull. this summer, Gruber confirms, adding: quarantine requirements differ from “We will then have a fully electric ambulift country to country (and constantly “With airports aiming to become portfolio, from small vehicles for regional change) – currently making air travelling CO2 neutral and battery technology airports right up to A380UD trucks – all unpleasant and difficult. Besides speeding advancing, we are seeing a shift from powered by lithium-ion or lead acid up vaccination programmes governments diesel-powered vehicles and a strong battery technology.” need to set up steps to ensure free air trend of increasing demand for electric travel with fewer restrictions again.” vehicles – not just in the airport sector As of spring, business remained quiet but also in all other business areas we but, “We hope that business catches up Will Bulmor be ready to ramp up are working in,” Gruber explains. again in the autumn,” Gruber remarks production quickly, once demand does – and he remains very positive. “We are return to pre-pandemic levels? Indeed, “We therefore started a development sure that passenger numbers will rise to it will, Gruber confirms: “We are ready process to electrify our entire vehicle and pre-pandemic levels and higher in the and will increase production capacities as ambulift portfolio some years ago,” he long run,” he says. soon as we see demand rising.” recalls. “The first fully electric-powered model was our small compact ambulift, “Leisure travel among senior citizens (who In the meantime, “Electrification of our the FrontBull, and that has been available used to be the large majority of PRMs entire product portfolio will keep us busy with a lead acid battery system or lithium- in the past but unfortunately are part for quite some time and is clearly our ion technology since 2018. of the high-risk group in this pandemic) focus. However, we are also working on will recover with progressing vaccination further improvements on our SideBull “Our larger ambulifts models, the SideBull levels in each country. docking assistance system, full remote XL and SideBull XXL for the A380, maintenance system and a cabin face-lift.” followed and are now also available in fully “A short-term forecast on how quickly electric-powered variants. After a two- passenger numbers will fully recover is Preparing for recovery year development phase, we are going rather difficult,” Gruber suggests. “On Oppenau, Germany-headquartered DOLL into airport testing this summer [2021]. the one hand, there is a strong desire for offers a wide range of GSE. Medical lifts Both larger model types are equipped leisure travel after a year of pandemic and are just part of its airport-related portfolio with a strong and long-lasting lithium-ion several months of lockdown – giving us that also takes in catering trucks, recovery vehicles and cleaning vehicles.

Like other ambulift suppliers such as DENGE and Bulmor, it too can point to a downturn in demand because of the pandemic, but Pierre Marx, key account manager GSE for the Europe, Africa, Russia and Pacific regions, says that DOLL is using the time to focus on R&D and is “actively preparing for the market’s recovery”.

He believes that some of the otherwise expected investment in PRM vehicles stopped because of the pandemic will be relaunched, while other programmess will not. As for when that market recovery actually happens, for DOLL the key words will be “improved travel experience, safety and environmental friendliness”, he says.

Marx is confident that the aviation industry will see a significant increase A Bulmor SideBull in action in leisure travel as soon as vaccination rates reach a sufficiently high level for

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 17 FEATURE | PRM EQUIPMENT

Japan’s ANA is one of the customers for North- ern Ireland-based Mallaghan’s ambulifts

confidence to return and when borders production flexibility of between five vehicles to Berlin in Germany for the are reopened. “Do we not all hear every and 10 vehicles per week if necessary,” opening of the new BER airport. day in our discussions with families or says Marx. “So a quick return to normal friends the many hopes and intentions to production rate is not a problem for us.” Mallaghan offers self-propelled as well as travel across the world after the recovery chassis-mounted ambulifts, with various and enjoy the newfound liberty?” he asks. Mallaghan invests in new technology options including low-height options, Meanwhile, Dungannon, Northern Ireland- small and large passenger capacities, and Moreover, he believes the market headquartered GSE supplier Mallaghan A380 handling capabilities. share of vaccinated senior citizens and last year saw sales activity and revenue PRMs will be an interesting part of this “in line with reduced activity within As well as continuing to supply new PRM recovery. Some senior travellers and the sector”, says Owen McKenna, the vehicles, Mallaghan has also continued PRMs will want to see their distant company’s sales director. to invest in new technology and new family again. Others will want to enjoy capabilities for its ambulifts. Thus, explains their retirement, take advantage of their “Nevertheless, PRM orders have remained McKenna: “In 2020 we resumed our purchasing power and take a trip around steady,” he adds. “We delivered PRM electrification roadmap programme, and the world after the frustration of a long vehicles from our diverse range of self- can now offer an electric chassis solution confinement. propelled and truck chassis-mounted for high lifts including catering, cabin machines to countries and regions such cleaning and PRM products. What’s more: “The trend for airlines and as Japan, Germany, the Middle East and ground handlers to offer PRM travellers a China, to name a few.” “The electrification of our products more qualitative travel experience before has been and remains at the forefront a flight is very well identified.” For example, Mallaghan delivered medical of our business development and so lifts to Japanese airlines ANA and JAL we focused research and development When such a time comes, “Our DOLL in preparation for the coming Olympics and manufacturing capacities to further production lines are very well organised and Paralympics, which were postponed extend our product offering to customers and structured, with a remarkable to 2021 due to Covid. It also delivered and the market in 2020.

18 Airside International | Summer 2021 PRM EQUIPMENT | FEATURE

“Developing an electric high lift solution Mallaghan is working to develop that in the event of any incident. in partnership with Volvo has been a option further across its product range. significant milestone in this strategy,” The monitoring system can benefit from McKenna informs. “Our own Mallaghan Looking ahead, he asserts that – despite both internal (if allowed by relevant self-propelled chassis vehicles are either the pandemic – there remains strong privacy policies) and external cameras. already converted or are in the process of demand for PRM products, as well as The system is very flexible and adaptable being converted throughout 2021.” the rest of Mallaghan’s wider portfolio; to a given customer’s needs, says the “and as the market recovers we expect company’s CEO, Andrea Cesarini. There He continues: “True to our motto this demand to increase,” McKenna are various options for exporting the ‘Innovation for Aviation’, we are says. Moreover: “As always, we can data collected as well. always focusing on research and react efficiently and effectively to rising development, and so we were one of demands and changing conditions.” The system can be managed by a fleet the first GSE OEMs [original equipment management platform that tracks any manufacturers] to offer a fully AVIOGEI offers additional control alerts raised in real time. compliant International Air Transport Aprilia, Italy-headquartered GSE supplier Association (IATA) [Airport Handling AVIOGEI has also been improving its Another improvement to AVIOGEI’s Manual] AHM913 Collision Avoidance ambulift offering – which takes in the Thunderlift has seen passenger comfort System (CAS) for our relevant product smaller PED and the sophisticated increased through the introduction groups including PRM vehicles.” Thunderlift – over the past year. of a new seating arrangement and an air conditioning system suitable for Mallaghan offers the CAS system on a In particular, changes have been made all weathers. Plus, says Cesarini, “Our variety of commercial chassis as well as its in order to offer an even greater degree production department is preparing self-propelled unit. of control for an airport operator. a new hydraulic system for the PED Now, airports can monitor the use and the Thunderlift. The new system McKenna also reports good demand of an AVIOGEI machine with a new is designed to be more efficient in for single-operator PRM vehicles, so ‘registration’ system, and receive an alert terms of energy consumption and less

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 19 FEATURE | PRM EQUIPMENT

An AVIOGEI Thunderlift in operation at France’s Brest Bretagne Airport Changing times

DENGE Airport Equipment is soon to begin offering electric-powered medical lifts. But the process is not a simple one, and there are many complexities that need to be considered when making the change.

Managing director Murat Denge believes that electrifying all GSE is a process that will take some time yet, not least because of the impact of the pandemic. Another problem is the cost and lifetime of batteries currently available, while another is the price of the technology: considering the profit margins both of handlers and GSE manufacturers, the sale price of GSE continues to play a critical role in most acquisition decision-making processes.

“Combined with the pandemic, I believe, in the short run, our industry will be more price-oriented, and I do respect procurement managers,” says Denge. However, even if the roll out of battery- powered ambulifts – and GSE more polluting for the environment.” for the lithium-ion battery-powered generally – is somewhat delayed, there will certainly be more and more electric- Thunderlift E when acquiring new powered GSE on airport ramps, he advises. He continues: “With the aim of additional ambulifts, but at airports where increasing the level of operational electric PRM vehicles have been introduced In time, alongside the transition to electric safety, our GSE integrates additional they are “considering the conversion of the power there will be a greater presence of low- level autonomous machines, Denge suggests; systems for monitoring working entire fleet”, Cesarini confirms. this is another area in which his company is conditions (tyre pressure, anemometer, investing in R&D behind the scenes. engine status, cabin temperature, etc). As for the trend towards greener In addition, the Thunderlift can be equipment over the longer term, the As for the short-term future and the move to what will hopefully be a post-Covid world, equipped with air filtration systems and intention of the EU Commission to “While we regard 2020 as a year of problems, specific barriers compliant to anti-Covid make the EU carbon neutral by 2050 I believe that the effects on our industry will measures to guarantee the passenger will require substantial efforts in terms be even greater this year, and DENGE has health and safety.” of the development and introduction of taken all necessary measures to ensure that 2021 will not be worse than 2020.” clean technologies, he points out. A recent addition to the AVIOGEI He advises: “Pretty much all the big GSE ambulift offering is the electric-powered “Research and innovation will determine manufacturers had some ongoing orders Thunderlift E (it was first publicly shown the speed at which this transition can and production runs left over from the first quarter of 2020 which helped them to at inter airport in Munich in 2017). The take place. In Europe, with the Horizon mitigate the pandemic’s impact last year, Thunderlift E has been “a great success 2020 [funding programme] and the but 2021 will be tougher, and we can see in the market”, says Cesarini, with European Green Deal [a plan to make that even when vaccination programmes orders for new ambulifts now frequently the EU environmentally sustainable by were initiated [in spring], the effects were not rapidly reflected in the aviation industry. being for the ‘E’ version. “Customers 2050], the resources that governments are very satisfied with the higher quality will direct towards the renewal of “So we as DENGE foresee that 2021 will be of PRM service [it provides], because vehicles for electric mobility could the toughest year and the ‘ramp’ will only the equipment is quieter and more help to create a rise in the demand for start to recover in the second quarter of 2022. This projection has led us to focus comfortable for the operator and electric equipment in general.” more on production of equipment such as passengers,” he reports. baggage handling systems (BHS), as well as Certainly, AVIOGEI intends to extend its cargo solutions.” The electric variant has reduced own electric GSE offerings into the self- The benefit of having a broad product range maintenance costs and is very reliable. propelled toilet service units and water for a GSE supplier is obvious and, despite “Furthermore it is greatly appreciated for unit elements of its portfolio, among Denge’s belief that 2021 will be challenging, its long battery life,” Cesarini says. others, to help meet what it anticipates his company remains well placed to come to be ongoing increasing demand for through it stronger than ever. Not only are individual customers opting battery-powered equipment.

20 Airside International | Summer 2021

FEATURE | PREVENTING AIRCRAFT DAMAGE Preventing aircraft damage: the technological edge Technological advancements continue to be made that mitigate the risk of collisions between GSE and aircraft during the turnaround process and a number of GSE suppliers now offer sophisticated anti-collision systems

JBT’s JetDock forms part of its effort to minimise the danger of aircraft damage during the docking and turnaround proc

Amongst the numerous GSE suppliers These sums do not only derive from to potential scenarios that could lead to that take the issue of aircraft damage damage to aircraft or other assets but an incident or accident.” very seriously is the globally active also include indirect costs such as lost provider of GSE and gate equipment revenue, the cost of redirecting flights, For instance, JBT has been working with JBT AeroTech. As the company’s adverse public relations, and more. some of its long-term partners in the director of business development and field on the future of ground damage marketing, Todd Tanner, points out, Every effort should therefore be prevention technologies and one result every turnaround that involves boarding made to mitigate the risk, optimising of that is JetDock. This is an automated bridges, loaders and the like represents safety and operational procedures, operator assist docking system that the possibility of unwanted ‘ramp rash’: controlling human factors, introducing has been designed for JBT’s JetBridge of impact between GSE and aircraft. standardisation of equipment, and so on. passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) and its Tanner observes: “Manufacturers can play fleet of Commander cargo loaders. Damage sustained on the ramp, as a a key role in this risk mitigation effort whole, represented an estimated US$5.7 by developing automation technologies JetDock does not rely on decals or billion cost to the aviation industry in specifically designed to prevent ground markings on an aircraft fuselage, making 2020, Tanner says, citing International damage.” And he notes: “Today, the it ideal for multi-use airport gates and Air Transport Association (IATA) figures, industry is very familiar with APD [aircraft fleets of aircraft. JetDock is designed with that cost projected to increase in proximity detection] technologies, which to seamlessly dock the GSE with an years to come. are designed to alert equipment operators aircraft while also detecting any ground

22 Airside International | Summer 2021 PREVENTING AIRCRAFT DAMAGE | FEATURE

TLD: enhancing safety and efficiency TLD, a French GSE manufacturer that forms part of the Alvest Group, is another of the globally active suppliers that offers sophisticated technologies on many of its equipment lines designed to avoid collisions between its GSE and the aircraft they serve. Its ASD+ (Aircraft Safe Docking +) technology aims to “enhance the efficiency and safety of operations on the ramp”, explains Driss Mahjoub, group technical director at TLD.

“After the introduction of ASD some years ago, ASD+ brings additional features and increases the automation level of the equipment,” he notes. TLD’s ASD+ system controls the speed and direction of GSE on which it is installed and eliminates any adverse movement in crowded aircraft safety areas.

ASD+ enables the GSE’s approach to an TLD loaders benefit from the company’s aircraft to be done right “the first time, ASD+ anti-collision technology each time”, Mahjoub remarks. Recent improvements to the technology mean obstructions on the approach to the of our GSE and lead to immense savings that, “We can achieve an impressive aircraft to prevent any and all incidents for the industry,” Tanner says. approach success rate superior to that could be caused directly by the 95%,” he continues. “That is far better docking GSE. “With a relatively small initial investment than human-driven operation in which in the technology, aviation companies the success rate is generally inferior to With the touch of a button or two, a can net significant returns with the 80%; this means fewer back and forth JetDock-equipped boarding bridge savings generated from the almost manoeuvres and a far higher level of or loader can locate the appropriate complete reduction of GSE-caused safety when ASD+ is switched on.” aircraft passenger or cargo door, incidents and accidents.” The ASD+ system is designed to enable correctly align itself, and then dock. It is fast, precise and safe, the manufacturer notes. As a result, docking operations can be conducted more quickly, more safely and with more convenience to passengers. “JetDock is the future to a safer ramp operation,” JBT insists.

From a financial perspective, JBT believes that operators will soon start to consider APD and autonomous docking technologies, such as JetDock, as an investment that will allow them to retain more future earnings by mitigating the rate of risk that necessarily arises when any GSE is used to serve aircraft.

According to IATA, the implementation of simple APD systems can reduce the overall cost of ground damage to the industry by 10%. “We believe that JetDock will help to nearly eliminate all ground damage caused by the docking operation

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 23 FEATURE | PREVENTING AIRCRAFT DAMAGE

For Mahjoub, preventing aircraft TIPS passenger stairs can be damage is one of the primary concerns equipped with elements or the for those involved in ramps operations complete ADPS package as required by customers today. Moreover, the increased public awareness of the issue, as well as the environmental impact of airport operations certainly favour greater investment in both more efficient technologies and safer GSE, he continues, adding: “Making airport operations leaner and greener means more control, more precision. The more rigorous you are with those controls, the better will be the level of safety on the ramp.”

TIPS: ADPS damage prevention system Slovenia-based TIPS has more than 50 years of history in manufacturing GSE and during this time it has been more than aware of the value of technologies that can minimise or even eradicate incidents a very high degree of precision in the the future that he and his colleagues at of GSE/aircraft collision. docking process (with less than an inch TLD are investigating include the ‘Link’ of platform/fuselage misalignment). It telemetry system for fleet management It has offered systems that alert GSE can achieve this in all weather conditions, and access control that offer “huge operators to the danger of impending thanks to a highly accurate calibration potential to improve safety and prevent collision for more than 10 years, alongside process and the smart trajectory aircraft damage”. automated speed control and automatic algorithm used in the technology. stopping options, says technical service Moreover, “Recently we have extended Geofencing, which allows for GSE engineer Marjan Smole. the ASD+ qualification list to additional speed auto-control, and hence aircraft models,” Mahjoub informs. significantly reduces hazard risks Such systems have been fitted to many around an aircraft safety zone, is an of its passenger stairs and belt loaders The ASD+ was developed by TLD for its area of significant interest for TLD in sold into markets around the world, loaders and passenger steps, which it terms of minimising the possibility of especially into countries like Germany regards as the most relevant equipment ramp rash. and the Scandinavian nations. for such a system. According to Mahjoub, “We see great attraction to ASD+ in several markets, including Europe, China and North America. " TIPS’s ADPS damage prevention system is available for TLD has worked closely with a number installation on its belt loaders of large airlines to enhance the system’s capability and most of the improvements it has made in recent times have been based on operators’ feedback. Furthermore, “We cannot progress without a true collaboration with ground handlers. And we have accomplished a lot here.”

But that does not mean the process of improvement has come to an end. “We keep running and introducing new innovation to improve ground operations safety,” Mahjoub says. Areas of possible development for

24 Airside International | Summer 2021 PREVENTING AIRCRAFT DAMAGE | FEATURE

More recently, TIPS has brought the so on). TIPS is, it says, especially proud various elements into a single Aircraft to offer the system on the parallelogram Damage Prevention System (ADPS) passenger stairs which it claims are that can be installed on new TIPS unique to the market. stairs or belt loaders, or retrofitted to older equipment (it has in fact been The system already offers more capability successfully retrofitted to TIPS GSE that than that laid down in IATA’s Airport No matter the is more than 10 years old). Handling Manual (AHM) 913, in line with TIPS's general policy – and it is being system, we are The ADPS consists of a combination of improved all the time, says Smole. “No sensors and activators that control the matter the system, we are always looking always looking to approach of GSE to an aircraft, including to make it better,” he remarks. make it better both speed and stop control procedures. ADPS offers not only safety systems Because the various elements of ADPS Marjan Smole required by IATA but in addition systems are not new, “We know it is reliable,” that actually eliminate the need for an Smole says. Indeed, the feedback TIPS operator’s presence. received on ADPS from customers in markets like Germany and Scandinavia ADPS installed on TIPS stairs or belt demonstrate its value, he points out. loaders constantly monitors movements TIPS is now looking to sell it more of the aircraft and makes corrections to widely into markets like the Middle the location of the GSE unit as it moves East, where the supplier is already (through weight changes caused by active, and in the US, where TIPS wants fuelling, baggage loading/unloading, and to launch a presence.

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 25 SUPPLIERS | AVIACO

Some of the T135 EVO baggage tractors that made up the Schiphol order

Aviaco GSE delivers electric baggage tractors into Schiphol

Late last year, GSE supplier Aviaco won a contract at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for the provision of 15 electric tractors under a full-service rental deal. All the units have since been delivered and are in use with the airport operator. The deal represents another important step for the company’s GSE full-service rental business

“This will be a big door-opener for us, not Amsterdam is an addition to Aviaco’s airport or prior to the departure of only enabling us to build our footprint other facilities located at Heemsekerk in their flight. Here, baggage is sorted for at Schiphol but also offering the hope of the Netherlands and in Tarragona, Spain. the appropriate flight or prepared for other similar rental projects in the future,” passenger pick-up at the carousel. says Danny Vrankcx, CEO of Aviaco GSE. The 15 brand new Charlatte electric baggage tractors comprise a number There are many other Charlatte tractors The tender for the electric baggage of both the France-headquartered in operation at the airport, but only tractors was put out by Amsterdam manufacturer’s T135 EVO and TE206 these 15 are operated by the Royal Airport Schiphol last year and, with NEO vehicles. All have now been Schiphol Group, the rest being used by Aviaco proving victorious, it has delivered and are in operation at handlers at the gateway such as KLM, now become the third GSE repair Schiphol, Vranckx confirms. Schiphol Swissport, Aviapartner and Menzies, and maintenance provider at the is using the vehicles to handle baggage explains Paul Groot, service owner Netherlands’ biggest air gateway. in the airport’s luggage room: the aircraft at Schiphol. place where all baggage is brought The maintenance and repair station at together either being flown into the The 15 baggage tractors were handed over

26 Airside International | Summer 2021 AVIACO | SUPPLIERS

According to Groot, Schiphol is more than happy with the brand-new GSE, having previously rented in their place much older models. Moreover, he adds, the operator has also been more than happy with the service provided by Aviaco.

Vranckx sees this deal as a very positive sign for the future. While Aviaco is perhaps best known for supplying customers with refurbished GSE, it also offers brand new equipment with full- service repair and maintenance support, a growing element of its product and service mix.

Amsterdam-based financial services company ING Group is now providing financial support for the implementation Some of the TE206 NEO units of Aviaco’s expansion plans. ING has highlighted Aviaco’s prioritisation of greener electric GSE, as can be seen in to Aviaco in mid-February at the Charlatte officer Yassine Belkaid formally transferred this latest Schiphol deal, as a particular Manutention factory in France, where the the units to Vranckx. They were soon on factor in its interest in the company and GSE manufacturer’s chief commercial their way to the Dutch capital. its plans for the future.

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 27 BUYER’S ASSESSMENT | BANGKOK FLIGHT SERVICES

Buyer’s Assessment (BFS)

Ground services provider Bangkok Flight Services (BFS) is both a user and admirer of dBD Communications’ Minerva Ajax wireless communication system. Colin Temple, director – ramp operations at BFS, tells Airside International why…

BFS offers a wide range of ramp handling, passenger handling, operational support, cleaning, cargo handling and warehousing services at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s largest and busiest air gateway. It is a joint venture of globally active handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and Bangkok Airways.

BFS is using Basildon, UK-based dBD Communications' Minerva wireless communications specialist Ajax is in use with many customers, including BFS dBD Communications’ Minerva Ajax system. Minerva Ajax can enable communications at a wireless range typically employs just the one headset pushback, and BFS handles a lot of of up to 100m for operations such as for communication, although the narrowbodies in the course of its work. pushback, wing walks, engineering and system allows multi-way communication maintenance tasks, where a ground between more than two headsets and Hence the ground services provider crew needs to stay in communication BFS has used it – and continues to use switched to the Minerva Ajax headset with an aircraft’s flight deck. it – in this configuration for training, variant with a mouth shield, or closed during audits and so on. cup, that can be used in higher noise BFS currently has a total of 20 Minerva environments for aircraft pushback, where Ajax headsets. It initially took a tranche BFS initially acquired the Minerva system background noise needs reducing. of 10, and ordered a further 10 soon in its boom microphone variant but afterwards. The pre-pandemic plan had found that, on occasion, the noise of an Temple first saw the system at an industry been to convert all of BFS’s 40 headsets aircraft engine – if the crew had fired up event a few years ago and was impressed used for aircraft/pushback handler the engines during pushback contrary to with the dBD Communications system. communications to the Ajax system, usual policy – could be heard through the He was even more impressed when but the impact of the Covid-19 crisis pushback controller’s mike and therefore managing director David O’Connell has meant a temporary delay in fulfilling caused a problem for the flight crew visited Suvarnabhumi to demonstrate the that plan. trying to hear a handler’s voice. system’s value and to show just how well it could work as part of BFS’s day-to-day The ground services provider uses the The problem was more noticeable operations. “He made sure that it was Minerva Ajax system for communication for narrowbody pushbacks where the exactly what we required,” Temple recalls. between an aircraft flight deck and the pushback controller would be closer to BFS pushback controller. Hence BFS the aircraft than in the case of a widebody Plus, on the rare occasion when a

28 Airside International | Summer 2021 BANGKOK FLIGHT SERVICES | BUYER’S ASSESSMENT

headset has needed repair, the after-sales service provided by dBD Communications Colin Temple, director – ramp has been excellent, he says. operations at BFS

Minerva Ajax has been well received and proved its worth, Temple continues. As a wireless system, it enables handlers to move freely without being restricted by any cable. That means the BFS pushback controller can always maintain a completely safe distance from any potential hazard and can always perform a full aircraft walkaround as necessary with no encumbrance from a communications cable.

Another safety benefit of a wireless communications system is important at a place like Bangkok, where thunderstorms are not rare and lighting comes with the territory. It is not unknown for handlers to receive a small shock through a wired system if lightning strikes close by, and this problem is averted with a wireless system such as Minerva Ajax.

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 29 SUPPLIERS | TCR

TCR supplies a wide range of GSE to airports around the world

Partnership in times of Covid

Kristof Philips, chief operating officer of Brussels, Belgium-headquartered TCR, believes that in these pandemic-impacted times it is critical for the different elements of the airside industry to work more closely together than ever, and to put their faith and trust in each other

TCR is a globally active provider of GSE airport operations. This includes providing with something as disruptive as Covid-19 rental solutions and services, including optimal equipment and maintenance has pushed many airside stakeholders full service rental, maintenance and ramp packages, technology-driven management into what might be regarded as ‘survival assistance, as well as GSE fleet services. systems and strategic advice to meet mode’. In fact, the contrast with the It supplies GSE to airports, airlines, varied GSE needs. many years of ‘good times’ has made ground handlers and cargo handlers, and the current precipitous downturn that currently has a presence at more than 150 The aviation industry has suffered much more of a shock, Philips believes. airports around the world. hugely both this year and last, of course, as passenger numbers have plummeted. The typical effect is that people and Philips says that TCR’s strategy is to work The evolution of the aviation sector has businesses alike tend to become with airports and their stakeholders to been one of pretty much continuous defensive and feel they have to fight optimise fleet size and equipment use growth over the decades since the early for their own survival, often seemingly for safer, sustainable and more efficient 20th Century, but being confronted necessarily – they believe – at the

30 Airside International | Summer 2021 TCR | SUPPLIERS

How can that trust be secured? By talking with each other and We have been able by the parties involved genuinely to act as a true understanding each other’s needs, Philips insists. That is how he and his partner and enter colleagues at TCR have approached the issues thrown up by the collapse in the into agreements aviation industry. that have delivered Indeed, he remarks: “TCR is extremely cost reductions and proud that – thanks to the customer relationships it has – we have been able increased flexibility to act as a true partner and enter into for our customers agreements that have delivered cost reductions and increased flexibility for Kristof Philips our customers.” TCR Ramping up The challenge the pandemic poses for expense of others, including perhaps be achieved – if partners work together the airside industry is now twofold, their suppliers and customers. However, and trust each other, he argues. Philips suggests. At the outset of the says Philips, if stakeholders sincerely Covid outbreak last year, there was a look for solutions that address their In fact, it is vital that partners in the need for almost all those active airside customers’ needs while at the same industry collaborate and have faith in each (and for those that supply them) to time adhering to their company’s own other: if they do, deals can still be struck revise business models and cut costs long-term vision, business success can even in these tough times, Philips says. drastically in response to the collapse in

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 31 SUPPLIERS | TCR

Greenification

As well as customers needing to ‘ramp up’ as and when the recovery gathers pace, TCR is also seeing in the market an ongoing increase in GSE operators’ focus on more environmentally friendly equipment – part of the process that Philips describes as ‘greenification’.

“We recognise that the world is changing, and we face new and emerging challenges and increased expectations from stakeholders and global communities,” he says. “We are committed to continually evolving and ensuring we operate and grow our business, as well as those of our customers, responsibly and sustainably.”

TCR has a business model that informs the way it approaches the subject of sustainability with its customers. Its ‘Apron Trilemma’ has, as the name suggests, three TCR is seeing an ever-increasing trend towards ‘greenification’ in the GSE market elements, namely: continuity of operation, affordability and sustainability.

In terms of continuity, Philips emphasises passenger numbers and – consequently This process is a fairly complex one and that in an airport environment everything – airside operations. involves a change in mindset for TCR as must run smoothly and continuously. well as for its customers and their normal Affordability is about achieving objectives But, says Philips, today there is another acquisition procedures. Getting GSE back in an affordable way for all stakeholders. Finally, TCR’s focus on sustainability aims issue that also needs to be addressed. into operation that has been laid up for to ensure that the apron as an ecosystem is “Now we see that there is a need to start some time takes a little bit of time; there are safe as well as environmentally friendly. thinking about the ramp-up of flight safety issues to be addressed, for example. operations. Here, the challenge is that Operators may need some refresher He adds: “As most of our operations the recovery will be slow and uncertain, training on more complex types of powered take place inside airports, our ambition and that the process will probably feature GSE (tugs, for example), while equipment is to collaborate with our partners – airports, airlines and handlers – in many hiccups along the way. that has been in store for some time needs addressing sustainability issues such as to be carefully checked over and carefully noise, air quality, biodiversity and water “So, in order to support our customers brought back to full working efficiency: TCR management, and also more global in the latter, we have developed what we offers a ‘deep service’ for just this reason. environmental issues – particularly the call the ‘Triple R’ model: Reserve – Ramp aviation industry’s greenhouse gas and up – Rent. The model starts from a joint Whatever the GSE, every TCR carbon emissions.” commitment to work together with our customer – whether handler, airline or As with the Triple R model, the Apron customers when it comes to GSE leasing airport operator – will have different Trilemma concept is primarily an but without any initial commitment on requirements in terms of their ‘ramp issue of mindset and about how TCR final volumes. up’ of GSE, and once again in this regard goes about interacting and consulting Philips reiterates the importance of with its customers. In this case, it’s about discovering how the process of “This means customers can reserve assets working closely with its customers in ‘greenification’ can be made to benefit from our inventory list (Reserve). When order to fully understand their needs and all: to more than compensate the GSE activity picks up, an extremely flexible how these requirements can best be met. procurer for the additional cost of electric invoice model is applied until a more equipment, for example. stable run rate is achieved (Ramp up). “It is all about thinking about how we can get through this and about how we TCR expects to partner with major airports, airlines and infrastructure companies “Once a certain level of normality is can grow together with our customers,” to further develop various sustainable achieved, this fleet will be incorporated Philips summarises. In fact, he says, solutions. Critical to these projects will into a long-term partnership agreement the industry’s collapse has actually be to keep in mind the Trilemma and how which incorporates clauses to deal with led, in some cases, to strengthened TCR delivers customer solutions that future flexibility requirements resulting relationships. As in any crisis, you tend are “affordable, sustainable and ensure from seasonality, business loss, mothball to find out who you can trust when the business continuity”, Philips concludes. requirements and so on (Rent).” chips are down, he observes.

32 Airside International | Summer 2021 DIGITAL EVENT

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THANK YOU TO OUR LAST YEARS SPONSORS FEATURE | REFUELLING TECHNOLOGIES

Transformative technology Digitalisation is an inescapable trend across many industries, and aircraft refuelling is no exception. More and more digital tools are becoming available, besides other changes aimed at improving the process. Megan Ramsay reports

One area that is benefiting from allows operators to complete compliance fuel, including sustainable aviation fuels, to digital developments is aviation fuel testing on site, without paper and without see how they respond to contamination contamination testing. the need to register. so that we can make sure our product is fit for purpose.” The presence of microbial contaminants The free, iPhone and Android in jet fuel can have costly – and downloadable app works alongside Conidia’s goal, Busch says, is to streamline dangerous – implications. Microbiological Conidia’s FUELSTAT® test kit, which has a process that can be cumbersome, growths can affect fuel quality, aircraft been on the market for 20 years. by taking steps and time out of fuel performance and safety. Potential contamination testing – without, of problems include clogged filters, aircraft Owen Busch, senior vice president – sales course, sacrificing accuracy. tank corrosion or malfunctions in aircraft and business development at Conidia, fuel quality indicator systems. says the kit has undergone extensive The original FUELSTAT® app was development over that time as fuels have launched in 2017. Since then, a constant In response to industry requests to continued to evolve. cycle of feedback between Conidia’s improve the efficiency of microbial fuel team and customers has culminated in testing, biosciences company Conidia has “All fuels – not just jet fuel – change all the the latest major update of the app, which launched an upgraded digital verification time because the regulations that govern Busch describes as providing “the best tool. FUELSTAT® Result is a mobile app that them change. We actively test all types of user experience yet”.

34 Airside International | Summer 2021 REFUELLING TECHNOLOGIES | FEATURE

FUELSTAT® Result is a mobile app that allows operators to complete fuel contamination compliance testing on site, without paper and without the need to register

The FUELSTAT® test kit with the free Result next level and may require action soon. Busch observes that there is always a app enables the operator to take a sample, dichotomy around the availability of digital run a test, and get the results in less than 15 “Timely information such as this helps our data, in any industry. “Some customers in minutes. Users can instantly create a report customers to make well-informed decisions every industry want to digitalise everything that they can print or email from their to support their operations. With the and gain real-time data and insights,” he phone or tablet straight away – rather than threshold caution indicator, they can choose says. “Others are more sensitive, perhaps waiting hours or even days for laboratory to act early – or not, depending on their because they have security concerns or results and reports. schedule and other variables.” their IT maturity isn’t quite where it needs to be. FUELSTAT® thus detects contamination Such agility is vital in an industry that early, and makes immediate intervention, involves huge investments in operational “FUELSTAT® Result now caters for both such as the addition of a biocide, possible. assets that must be up and running to groups: it has high standards for data justify their expense. security, and customers don’t have to Airport operators, ground handling agents register in order to get the full benefits of and fuel handling companies have all Busch sums up: “Our task is to ensure the app – they can use it anonymously.” brought their own experience in the field business continuity and asset reliability to the design of FUELSTAT® Result. One for our customers. When an airline has Preventing misfuelling new, customer-driven capability that the an AOG [aircraft on ground] event, time Aviation fuel suppliers are also offering FUELSTAT® Result app offers is a threshold is money. In extreme cases, microbial digital tools for their customers. One indicator that helps support proactive, contamination can cause problems example is Air bp’s Airfield Automation, preventative fuel maintenance. with engine performance and filters, for which is designed to enhance safety, example. Therefore a robust, preventative reliability and compliance in airport Busch explains: “A test may detect fuel maintenance process is essential.” fuelling operations. negligible amounts of contamination, but those quantities could still be close to a FUELSTAT® Result is “not a static Valerio Ferro, vice president, aviation moderate amount. So, rather than simply product”, he points out. The product will customers at Air bp, points out: “Misfuelling a distinct green, amber, red traffic light continue to evolve as Conidia works to overwing-fuelled aircraft is one of the system, indicating negligible, moderate and keep pace with the market’s changing biggest risks our industry is faced with. heavy contamination, FUELSTAT® Result requirements and priorities. Air bp’s Airfield Automation safe2go app now has caution alerts which indicate that is a pioneering application that provides contamination levels are approaching the Regarding the acceptance of digitalisation, additional fuel grade checks, including an

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 35 FEATURE | REFUELLING TECHNOLOGIES

engineering barrier to automatically check reducing delays and improving profitability From an airline perspective, “The currency aircraft fuel grade decals, which greatly for each flight,” Ferro adds. of refuelling is seconds”, de Boer observes. reduces the risk of human errors that can Therefore, minimising delays in aircraft result in misfuelling a plane.” Operators have reported increased speed, turnaround times is one of the most critical accuracy and efficiency and Airfield aspects of maintaining profitability and The safe2go app consolidates the data Automation received the Excellence delivering the level of service demanded by related to airport fuelling operations and in Application Modernisation Award, passengers in today’s busy world. inputs via an app on a handheld device in the the Product Innovation Award and was fuelling vehicle. It has been deployed at over declared the Overall Winner at the 2020 “That’s why we made a huge step towards 139 locations – and this number is increasing. UK Real IT Awards. Shell Aviation’s vision of fully digitised operations by introducing Shell SkyPad, The safe2go app works by capturing fuel According to Ferro: “Since launching in connecting our operators who provide volume readings and provides fuel grade May 2018, one million fuellings have been the fuel on the apron with office staff checks to add an extra misfuelling barrier. processed using Airfield Automation and customers throughout the refuelling The app also electronically captures technology. Air bp should soon be process,” de Boer says. customer details, fuel volume readings, tax celebrating the installation of the technology and charge details, which are confirmed at 300 network locations across 27 “The complete and fully integrated solution with an electronic signature from the countries and four continents.” links the tablet to a cloud-based computer pilot or airline representative on a tablet platform, simplifying and speeding up critical computer. By using this automated, end- Contactless compatibility aspects of the process, as well as reducing to-end, paperless system, accuracy is Thomas de Boer, head of operations at Shell administration and human error.” enhanced, and any potential mis-keying Aviation says: “With the aviation industry errors are minimised. operating on finely balanced operating The real-time communication Shell SkyPad margins, our customers are constantly Data Exchange now offered reduces the The initial Airfield Automation service challenged to maximise efficiency and time aircraft spend on stand. From the launched in 2020 was a transaction data look for innovations that could help initial fuel order from the pilot to take-off, service, Ferro says. He explains: “It was improve turnaround times. Incorporating the exchange between Shell SkyPad and an a first step in supporting our customers digital technologies into the refuelling airline’s own system allows potential issues in the digital transformation. The data process is an area where we believe there during critical moments of the refuelling service enables airlines to receive fuel is huge potential for uncovering greater process to be predicted and averted. Airlines ticket data electronically. operational efficiencies.” integrating Shell SkyPad Data Exchange can save up to 13 minutes during the refuelling “Air bp has been working with industry According to de Boer, there is a clear process, which can cut delays in turnaround stakeholders to deliver an operational trend towards collaborative technology time and associated costs. data service: enabling real-time two-way development in aviation. For example, communications from receiving an airline’s different airlines have different cockpit “In addition to efficiency gains, digital preliminary fuel order through to a revised apps, which often makes transmitting data refuelling, enabled by Shell SkyPad Data final order, concluding with a fuel summary from system to system challenging and the Exchange, means that the whole process and remote digital acknowledgement of fuel integration of new technology very complex. is now contactless, giving staff greater received by the airline. protection as the aviation industry looks to Shell SkyPad Data Exchange, launched last recover from Covid-19,” de Boer says. “The use of the International Air Transport year, not only facilitates an automated Association (IATA) fuel operational end-to-end touchless refuelling process; The first airline to implement Shell SkyPad messages standard provides for efficient it also enables compatibility with a wide Data Exchange (in August 2020) was and cost-effective implementation.” range of airlines’ own digital platforms, Lufthansa, which – along with software allowing integration with airline systems specialist SAP – was involved in the The key benefits for Air bp’s customers that adhere to IATA Fuel Data Standards, development of the solution. include significant operational de Boer outlines. efficiencies both at the airport and in Kai Liedtke, head of fuel purchasing their back-office processes, which may “In addition, as our Shell SkyPad technology at Lufthansa Group, describes SkyPad contribute to a greater likelihood of is already in operation at airports across as “another important step into fully on-time departure, optimisation of fuel our global refuelling network, we are able digitalising and automating the apron. load and administrative savings. to instantly connect to airlines’ systems The established real-time communication at any of the participating airports based makes the fuelling process significantly “Air bp aims to work with its stakeholders on a single integration. This means we safer, faster and more efficient.” to radically transform the fuelling process can offer a simple, paperless solution to for customers, allowing much faster our customers with no additional admin More recently, Cathay Pacific has been aircraft turnaround with optimum fuel load, required per location.” working with Shell Aviation at Singapore

36 Airside International | Summer 2021 REFUELLING TECHNOLOGIES | FEATURE

Changi Airport to integrate the airline’s internally built application Flight Folder, Protection which has all the information that a crew needs for a particular flight, with Shell Microbial growth is not the only source of Seven further incidents were documented, contamination. Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) prompting the launch of IATA’s SAP Special SkyPad Data Exchange. particles can also be a problem. Interest Group in May 2014. The group’s investigation found that the use of SAP- The two systems communicate directly Most aircraft refuellers today are fitted with based systems in aviation fuel handling with each other, sharing information and filter monitors that prevent water and dirt could not reliably meet aircraft and engine creating a real-time link between the pilot particles from entering the fuel and engine. operating requirements. and the refueller. While water is rarely present in aviation fuel, when this does occur, SAP has been used to “As a result of these findings, the aviation prevent it from getting into the aircraft, explains industry committed to phasing out SAP- Clearly, the industry is continuing to invest Thomas de Boer, head of operations at Shell based water filters used in the refuelling in the future, despite lingering uncertainty Aviation. process,” de Boer says, adding that the over just what form that future will take. Energy Institute’s withdrawal of its EI 1583 Ferro believes that in the post-Covid “It is rare that SAP particles move into specification for SAP-containing filter the aircraft during fuelling,” he says. monitors on 31 December 2020 removed world, aviation will need to adapt to a new “However, if it does, it can cause significant any sort of technical standard or oversight operating environment, with tight budgets operational issues in engines. of them. and fewer staff – and without compromising on safety – and that includes refuelling. “It was after Shell had been engaged as an Shell has been working with filtration specialist independent, third-party expert by a major FAUDI Aviation since 2015 to find alternatives “To recover quickly, businesses will have international airline that the potential to SAP. The resulting Shell Jet Protection associated risks of SAP were discovered,” system replaces the SAP-based water filter with to re-design existing processes as they de Boer continues. “We investigated why a separate AFGUARD electronic water sensor are forced to do the same with fewer one of their flights had lost thrust control (EWS) used in combination with a dirt defence people,” he says. “Digitalisation and process of both engines, resulting in a forced filter (DDF). It “guarantees a safe and secure automation will play a vital role, especially if landing at twice the normal speed.” flow of fuel every time”, according to de Boer. existing affordable technology can be used.”

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 37 PRODUCT UPDATE | ADELTE

An artist’s impression of ARCOS in use

Seville Airport opts for ADELTE’s ARCOS system Spanish national airport operator AENA is to acquire ADELTE’s ARCOS passenger boarding bridge (PBB) remote control operating system as part of a contract for Seville Airport

Barcelona, Spain-based ADELTE is to reduced in comparison to traditional reduction in docking and undocking times design, manufacture and install a total methods of PBB operation. which benefits both passengers and of six PBBs, six pre-conditioned air units airport operators”. (PCAs), six ground power units (GPUs) ARCOS went into development in 2015, and 14 visual docking guidance systems ADELTE confirms. Last year, it underwent Years in the making (VDGS) under the contract. trials at Seville Airport with a number of Artiz explains that ARCOS first underwent different airlines and with PBBs that were concept testing at ADELTE’s manufacturing ARCOS – or ADELTE’s Remote Control not manufactured by ADELTE, showing – facilities in Monzon in Spain. It was then Operating System to give it its full name the company says – that its system can be unveiled as a “minimum viable product”, – allows a PBB to be remotely operated used with any PBB. he says, during the inter airport trade show from an airport’s control room and 2017 in Munich, where ADELTE gathered manoeuvred autonomously to and from Patxi Artiz, airport business unit director feedback from potential customers. all types of commercial aircraft. at ADELTE, observes: “ARCOS is the solution that will mark a turning point At the beginning of 2018, ADELTE brought It is designed to reduce operating times in PBB handling and have an impact on AENA into the project, enabling the while accurately docking and undocking airport operations around the world. system to go into field testing in a live PBBs in all weathers. By centralising airport environment. These trials were such operations, the expectation is that “ARCOS stands for highly efficient indeed launched at Seville Airport last an airport’s operating costs will also be procedures, significant cost savings and year, with real PBB docking operations

38 Airside International | Summer 2021 ADELTE | PRODUCT UPDATE being undertaken with ARCOS. Airport is only the beginning for the apart from others. In that sense, airport ARCOS system. “With the news of the operators can really benefit from ARCOS During the final phase of the product implementation at Seville Airport, after to become more efficient, and be able to development process, ADELTE also successful trials in 2020, we are now survive in the long run.” engaged Bureau Veritas, a company actively promoting ARCOS,” says Artiz. specialising in testing, inspection, and certification, to verify the product ‘s “We have started conversations with In terms of compliance with the EU’s Directive large airport operators, in particular 2006/42/EC on machinery. operators who have shown interest businesses, Covid in ARCOS and are seeking to reduce AENA provided very positive feedback on operational expenses. By centralising makes all of us think the various tests, Artiz recalls, as did the operations, airports can reduce their every day about three airlines involved – Iberia, Vueling and workforce by 65% while improving easyJet. The ARCOS system drastically docking time by 20%.” various ways to changes the way that PBBs are operated, and it was therefore “critical to have The Covid-19 crisis that has so decimated improve operations, the system aligned with the needs and the airline industry will have some sort of to be more efficient, interests of airlines, airport operators, silver lining, perhaps. Artiz considers: “We handling companies, etc. see that the current health crisis is forcing to attract value, to businesses to become very efficient, more “In that sense, we used all the feedback to than ever before. set ourselves apart improve the system so that it meets the requirements of all stakeholders.” “In terms of businesses, Covid makes from others all of us think every day about various Expanding the ARCOS footprint ways to improve operations, to be more Patxi Artiz Of course, ADELTE hopes that Seville efficient, to attract value, to set ourselves ADELTE

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 39 MANUFACTURERS | TRANSTEC OVERSEAS

Transtec's lithium battery- powered belt conveyor on trial with Indian carrier SpiceJet

is available either as an open-sided model Transtec meets changing or with both sides curtained to protect the unit’s payload from the elements. customer needs Transtec also developed a new cargo baggage trolley that can take a payload Mumbai, India-based GSE manufacturer Transtec Overseas of up to 7 tonnes. It has sliding side doors is offering a range of different equipment suitable for those through which freight or baggage can be looking to support the global air movement of Covid-19 loaded or unloaded. vaccines, and other cargo Another new offering is what Shah describes as an air cargo pallet cum pallet Transtec director Adesh Shah tells Airside instead using the time wisely to develop dolly. This comes with pallet locks that can that the last 12 months have certainly new products adapted to where demand be used to secure the cargo. been tough. The passenger aviation has remained strong: namely in air cargo business in its core markets has collapsed generally, and also the booming vaccine Each is a very cost-effective alternative since the start of the pandemic. transport business. to similar GSE available on the market, Shah remarks. India accounts for about 40% of Transtec In fact, it has developed a number of sales, and – of the remaining 60% – a large entirely new products as a result of Dedicated to vaccine transportation, proportion derives from other South and specific demands put to it by freight- Transtec can now supply a standardised South-east Asian markets; in these regions, carrying or freight-handling customers. model refrigerated truck that can keep 2020 saw airline passenger numbers One of these is a 10-tonne heavy duty vaccines as cool as –25 degrees, which is collapse, especially among the low-cost cargo trolley that is particularly suited to now being sold to logistics businesses. carriers (LCCs) that dominate the Indian the loading and unloading of (10) standard Also available to either self-handling domestic aviation industry. 1-tonne pallets. The trolley’s pneumatic airlines or ground service providers (GSPs) tyres benefit from a leaf spring system for is a towable refrigerated vaccine container But the company has not stood still, a smooth ride on rough surfaces. The unit based on a 20ft or 40ft dolly, ideal for

40 Airside International | Summer 2021 TRANSTEC OVERSEAS | MANUFACTURERS

Finally, Transtec has upgraded its non- powered passenger stair unit such that the unit – which can reach up to heights of between 3m and 5.5m – now comes with LED lighting and aircraft approach warning system.

“We are continually trying new things, constantly trying to improve our products,” Shah says. And, while the market is certainly depressed right now, there are causes for optimism. Airport Authority of India (AAI), the national airports authority, has issued tenders for ground handling licences at no less than 54 airports across the country, Shah in front of one of Transtec’s heavy-duty cargo trolleys for example: this is the first time it has conducted such a wide-ranging process for new handling contracts. moving vaccines from an aircraft to a Transtec has offered lead acid battery- truck or warehouse (or vice versa). powered GSE for some time now, but this Those GSPs that prove successful may represents the first time it has ventured well be looking to acquire new GSE, Again, these are relatively low-cost into lithium battery technology. Given the Shah believes, not least because AAI alternatives, in this case to other cool dollies rising price of diesel in India right now, it requires handlers that acquire GSE to available in the market, Shah asserts. offers a very viable total cost of ownership acquire equipment that is no more than (TCO) alternative to conventionally two years old. Away from the cargo sector, Transtec powered GSE, Shah suggests. continues to develop other new GSE. One While this year may again be very such is a narrowbody 5m towable belt During the downturn, the company challenging, Shah hopes that 2022 may conveyor powered by a lithium battery. A has invested heavily in new technology, see something like a return to normality charge enables between five and six hours and especially into investigating in the aviation industry and better news of operation. This model is currently charging systems, battery live saving for GSE suppliers. In the meantime, on trial at Hyderabad International with technologies and other greener power Transtec will continue to innovate, he airport operator GMR. options, he adds. says, to meet changing demands.

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Quality and Warranty Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 41 HANDLERS | DNATA dnata focuses on the individual Complementing the medical lift feature of earlier in this issue, Airside talks to air service provider dnata about its provision of ambulifts and other equipment and services that assist its regular passengers with restricted mobility (PRMs)

Robert Powell, dnata’s vice president for technical services, A380 super jumbos and some DENGE medical lifts in use at and GSE planning manager Bartu Korgul tell Airside that the Dubai World Central (DWC). handler – part of the Dubai-headquartered Emirates Group – places a high priority on PRMs and the equipment that it Due to changing operational intensity in flight operations, some uses to support them. of these DENGE lifts are going to be repositioned in Pakistan to support dnata operations there. In fact, rather than PRM, dnata prefers the term used by the Dubai Government: ‘people of determination’. At dnata, The most recent acquisition of ambulifts by dnata in Dubai Powell says, “We focus very much on the service, which is involved five Mallaghan ML4000T truck-mounted medical very much focused on the individual. People of determination lifts purchased by the handler in 2019. These units are now deserve the same ease and convenience in their air journey as in operation at Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport any other passengers.” (DXB), primarily serving flydubai and other narrowbody customer airlines. At the core of dnata’s Dubai service offering for people of determination are its 28 medical lifts. These are mainly dnata’s international operations beyond Dubai involve a total Mallaghan models but also include DOLL ambulifts for serving of nine medical lifts across six stations elsewhere in the Middle

42 Airside International | Summer 2021 DNATA | HANDLERS

East and in Asia, Korgul informs. There are plans for new medical lifts to be acquired at some point in the future, he advises: replacement units for older models that will offer higher technical specifications.

Other factors that have to come into Each acquisition of new medical lifts consideration when making acquisition needs to be very carefully considered, he decisions include dnata’s determination says, given that the requirements of each to keep up with all international station can differ dramatically. Flexibility requirements and recommended might be very important at some standards, from bodies including but stations, more so than at others, for not limited to the European Union example. At the end of the day, though, (EU), the International Organization “At dnata we fully focus on the needs for Standardization (ISO) and the of our customers and the quality of our International Air Transport Association equipment reflects our standing on this.” (IATA); that the medical lifts incorporate the latest in technological Medical lifts are not the only evidence of safety measures to minimise risks of dnata’s focus on PRMs. For example, it has aircraft collision; and that any new no less than 600 wheelchairs of various equipment meets the needs of dnata’s types available across the four terminals corporate strategy to standardise its of Dubai’s two airports (DWC and DXB). GSE technical specifications as and Each is inspected and sanitised before use when possible. in these Covid-19-affected times, as are the ambulifts and passenger buses that its Delivery lead times from a supplier may people of determination might use. also be a consideration. Finally, while On that subject, Korgul notes that the dnata is sensitive to price, it is “very All the passenger buses that dnata has handler makes acquisition decisions sensitive to the particular needs of PRMs/ acquired over the last couple of years for against a range of both technical and people of determination”, Powell says. use in Dubai have wheelchair ramps and commercial criteria. Requirements vary tie-down points for wheelchair restraints, widely, and depend on the nature of the Powell emphasis Korgul’s thoughts and dnata attendants are available for station involved (station size, airport on the importance of the range of PRMs even when dnata’s full ambulift layout and the positioning of gates, for factors that have to be considered service is not required. example); on the aircraft that need to when acquiring medical lifts. As part be served (the range of aircraft types of its strategy of standardisation of For the future, dnata is considering will determine the heights that need to equipment types, dnata offers stations further improvements to its capability to be reached and the level of flexibility looking to acquire new GSE a range handle PRMs in Dubai. Acquiring Aviramp required: whether the vehicles should of options – a “menu”, he says – of passenger boarding platforms that are be half-cab or full-cab, self-propelled options against which they can make easier for PRMs than passenger steps is or truck-mounted, and so on); and their purchasing decisions, all within one option under consideration for its on the number of PRMs/people of the context of a transparent and fair DWC operation; another is a transport determination who will be handled. tender process. ambulance service for airport transfers.

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 43 PRODUCT UPDATE | VESTERGAARD

The e-BETA undergoing trials in Oslo

Vestergaard is hoping to produce a fully Vestergaard’s e-BETA sustainable version of its product line for performing carbon neutral ground handling operations by 2030 and, it says, leaves the launch pad “The electrically operated Vestergaard Elephant e-BETA is a critical part of The environmentally friendly Elephant e-BETA aircraft de-icer from this journey, reducing environmental footprint by significantly reducing Vestergaard underwent tests at a number of airports across Europe greenhouse gas emissions.” and North America over the course of the last 2020-21 Northern Hemisphere winter, and is now available to the market Thomas Hoff Andersson, vice president Northern Europe at Menzies Aviation, comments: “The successful trial of this According to the Roskilde, Denmark-based Aviation, a longstanding Vestergaard electrically-driven de-icer promises to supplier of de-icing, aircraft washing customer, test out the e-BETA at Oslo bolster not only the sustainability of our and toilet and water servicing units, Airport. Menzies operates 11 Vestergaard de-icing operations at Oslo Airport, but the e-BETA offers users the potential rigs as part of its de-icing fleet at the the sustainability of the industry at large.” to reduce greenhouse gases, including Norwegian gateway, where in a typical carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, by (non-Covid-affected) year it handles Ole Petter Storstad, director of airport 87% per truck every year. some 5,000 or so turnarounds over a services for Norwegian state-owned typical season between the months of airport operator Avinor, observes: “Avinor One of the trial programmes saw Menzies September and May. has a goal that its own operations at Oslo

44 Airside International | Summer 2021 VESTERGAARD | PRODUCT UPDATE

Airport will be fossil free by 2030. We are therefore pleased that our partners are Oslo proved an excellent working in the same direction and have testing ground for the e-BETA a green focus when they further develop their services.”

Lars Barsoe, vice president sales and marketing at Vestergaard, says that as one of the busiest de-icing hubs in Europe, “The choice of Oslo was an obvious one, as there would be great opportunities to test the unit in action.”

Feedback from Menzies in Oslo [regarding this winter’s trials] has been positive, he says. “We are very happy with the feedback we have received. From January to April this year the unit has been used for de-icing operations in Oslo alongside Menzies’ regular Elephant BETA units and has performed with the same efficiency and reliability as our customer is used to from our other equipment.” Munich Airport was another site for e-BETA testing According to Barsoe, the battery capacity of the e-BETA has lived up to expectations and over the course of the test period, the built-in diesel ‘range extender’ has been required only to a very limited extent, while “the customer reports that ‘We have not had to refill the diesel tank a single time’,” he confirms.

Trials have not been restricted to Oslo and to Menzies. Other tests of the e-BETA held during the 2020-21 winter season put the de-icer through its paces at airports including Stuttgart, Munich and Frankfurt in Germany, Paris in France and Montreal in Canada.

Ongoing improvement “At Vestergaard Company, we pride ourselves on continuous development of our products,” Barsoe informs. “This includes the Elephant e-BETA and our other hear from our customers that sustainability And, “With a forthcoming electric version new, sustainable products. After successful is a key area for development of airports in of all our products we will be able to customer tests, the first version of the many regions – in North America, Asia, the meet the demand for sustainable ground e-BETA is now launched as a commercial Middle East and Europe. handling products from GSE customers in vehicle and will be a part of our de-icer all regions,” Barsoe notes. portfolio for the coming 2021-22 season.” Vestergaard currently offers sustainable versions of the e-BETA (the company’s “We believe that sustainable solutions will The potential market for the new unit is largest de-icer), a new glycol recovery overtake conventional fossil solutions in the large, he believes. “All winter operation vehicle and a small electric towable water near future. We can see that there is a lot markets focusing on sustainable ground and toilet service unit as well as fully of political pressure on the entire sector to handling operations are markets for the electrical full-size toilet and water service move towards greener solutions. We aim to Elephant e-BETA,” Barsoe suggests. “We units – both winterised and non-winterised. be part of that solution,” he concludes.

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 45 TECHNOLOGY | AURRIGO

Aurrigo launches innovative autonomous Auto-Dolly Earlier this year, Coventry, The Aurrigo Auto-Dolly UK-based autonomous vehicle (Cargo), with a BA ULD specialist Aurrigo launched Auto-Dolly, an autonomous electric transport platform for on-airport work. Available as either a baggage dolly or a cargo dolly able to move pallets or unit load devices (ULDs), Aurrigo believes it offers significant operational benefits alongside much- wanted cost savings

Aurrigo claims that the Auto-Dolly could reduce the number of traditional tugs and dollies used at an airport by up to two-thirds. This figure is derived from recent simulations conducted with “a leading Far Eastern airport”, part of whose physical footprint was measured, Plus, Aurrigo’s sales director Miles to weather the bumps and crashes recorded and fed into a computer model Garner tells Airside that Auto-Dolly, that they are expected to suffer); the that simulated potential Auto-Dolly with its powered roller deck, offers the introduction of a new battery power operations at the gateway. unique ability to ‘crab’ sideways when pack that is much more suited to an docking and parallel parking, making the autonomous vehicle such as the Auto- This possible reduction in on-airport most of the available space in cramped Dolly and that offers up to 120 miles equipment would mean not only and/or congested airport conditions. of operation on a single charge; and an cost savings for operators but also improved Autonomous Control System a significant reduction in harmful Evolution (ACS) that has been custom-designed emissions otherwise created by diesel The design of the Auto-Dolly recently and made for the Auto-Dolly. baggage and cargo tractors. launched onto the market represents a significant evolution in the dolly that was The Auto-Dolly’s ACS incorporates The electric Auto-Dollies can navigate tested at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 GPS, inertial measurement units, autonomously, moving from one with International Airlines Group (IAG) cameras and light detection and task to another, being available for a couple of years ago (see https://www. ranging (LIDAR) systems on an A-frame picking up and then dropping off airsideint.com/aurrigo-develops-worlds- structure above the unit’s flat baggage/ items without the need for any human first-self-driving-baggage-dolly/). cargo platform area. They tell the operators. Moreover, they are able Auto-Dolly where it is located on the to move baggage or cargo in either That model was a ‘proof of concept’, pre-programmed mapped area of interior or exterior airport operating Garner recalls, and significant an airport stored in the Auto-Dolly’s environments in all weathers, the changes have been made to the unit’s memory, as well as giving it the company asserts. All-weather operation design since then. These include: the awareness of its changing surroundings is enabled by “weather-hardened development of a much lighter weight and alerting it to any obstacles or sensors and innovative software chassis design (the Auto-Dolly can be potential problems nearby. processes” that allow the machine to lighter than more traditional baggage operate in snow, heavy rain, direct and cargo dollies because traditional Each of the Auto-Dollies communicates sunlight and fog, Aurrigo notes. dollies have to be sufficiently robust with a cloud-based Fleet Management

46 Airside International | Summer 2021 AURRIGO | TECHNOLOGY

System (FMS), which co-ordinates the as the Auto-Dolly that are expected optimal efficiency of the vehicle fleet. to operate in airport environments The FMS also controls vehicle platooning – areas that are not limited in scale using software developed by Aurrigo, but are closed to the public, closely with communications based on Local controlled and low-speed environments Private Networks or via encrypted data by their very nature – are much more over standard cellular communications manageable. As a result, uptake of technology, Garner informs. autonomous vehicles in the aviation We are really industry could be that much greater. The Auto-Dolly is ready for production proud of the and Aurrigo is currently talking to Furthermore, he points out, while the actual innovation of the potential customers amongst handlers, benefits of autonomous private cars are airport authorities and logistics neither obvious nor particularly attractive Auto-Dolly service providers, Garner continues. to many drivers, the potential cost savings One airline that continues to show of the Auto-Dolly make it a very enticing an interest is IAG, with which Aurrigo proposition to possible users at airports Miles Garner worked on the pilot at Heathrow. around the world, Garner argues. Aurrigo

Despite widespread optimism about “We are really proud of the innovation the technology, the development of of the Auto-Dolly,” he adds, concluding self-driving cars over recent years by saying that if demand for the unit has not been smooth due to the was sufficient, Aurrigo could offer complexities of autonomous driving large numbers of Auto-Dollies by on busy public roads. However, Garner partnering with manufacturers it has feels the challenges for vehicles such already consulted.

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 47 TECHNOLOGY | STUTTGART AIRPORT

Stuttgart Airport moves ahead on SmartFleet programme

Early this year, initial trials of an autonomous baggage tug began at Stuttgart Airport as part of the gateway’s wide-ranging ambitions to modernise GSE operations at the gateway by implementing a high degree of GSE electrification (the efleet programme), as well as exploiting the potential of autonomous equipment (the SmartFleet programme)

The tug, manufactured by Germany’s airport's growing electric GSE fleet: a The research project is funded to the value VOLK Fahrzeugbau, can drive certain lithium-ion battery supplies its power. of 3.9 million euros (US$4.6 million). routes across the apron independently. The trials at Stuttgart, which represent the In its early phases of testing the tug has Deliverables first testing of an autonomous baggage continued to be manned, an operator Martin Hofmann, SmartFleet project tug at a German airport, are examining remaining near the controls to stop the tug manager at airport operator Flughafen capabilities including navigation to a pre- if required for safety reasons. Stuttgart, confirms that testing of the defined destination, lane keeping, obstacle as-yet unnamed autonomous baggage detection, acceleration and braking. The SmartFleet project, which is examining tractor at the German gateway is the the prospects for using autonomous latest stage in a process of collaboration The vehicle is fitted with four 3D cameras, commercial vehicles for safe and efficient between Stuttgart Airport and VOLK with infra-red capability for night vision, airport operations, is funded by the German that has been ongoing since 2019. two safety laser scanners and a highly Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and precise GPS system. As a result, the Energy. Besides Stuttgart Airport and VOLK, The two partners worked together in the tractor knows its location to within the vehicle manufacturer Aebi Schmidt very first stage of GSE electrification at 2cm. The new tug also complements the Germany also forms part of the consortium. Stuttgart Airport, which formed part of the

48 Airside International | Summer 2021 STUTTGART AIRPORT | TECHNOLOGY

Stuttgart Airport’s busy ramp

gateway’s efleet project, which was launched in 2013 (covered The research project ends in 2022. Trials at different stages in Airside previously; see , for example, https://www.airsideint. of automation will take place at Stuttgart until then, Hofmann com/issue-article/stuttgart-looks-to-a-greener-future/). Just confirms. For the moment, the deliverables that the partners five years later, the entire baggage tug fleet at Stuttgart had hope to see from the trials are: become fully electric. • Analysis of different operational uses, such as outdoor SmartFleet is a research project with two prototype applications: operation on the apron as compared to indoor operation in the a) winter service and b) baggage/cargo transportation. Flughafen baggage basement; intersection and crossing traffic with other Stuttgart expects to use the outcomes of the project to steadily GSE, passenger buses and aircraft; autonomous hitching of increase the degree of automation in its ground fleet. And it will have baggage trailers; and so on a close look at other suitable ground handling processes too. • Autonomous navigation and routing • Study of the effects of automation on the working environment GSE manufacturer Aebi Schmidt Group’s part in the • Study of the effects of automation on handling processes programmme relates to the winter service aspect. It is and workflows working on autonomous jet sweepers for winter maintenance, • Investigation of alternative approaches to a fully- and these are also soon to be tested at Stuttgart Airport. automated future scenario, including consideration of suitable intermediate steps “The common goal is to develop self-driving commercial vehicles that are safe and efficient to use at the airport,” “Autonomous vehicles have the potential to make ground handling Hofmann remarks, adding that the first trials of an processes more efficient and safe,” Hofmann asserts. “The traffic autonomous winter maintenance vehicle developed within the situation on the ramp is challenging and ground handling employees SmartFleet programme will probably take place this year. have a tough job – it is physically hard work. Self-driving GSE could support them in the future. There are currently two ground handling firms working in baggage handling at Stuttgart. Flughafen Stuttgart subsidiary “[Autonomous] GSE could even contribute to accident prevention Stuttgart Airport Ground Handling is one of them and it, on the ramp. While humans can make mistakes when not fully too, is bringing its ground handling expertise to the ongoing concentrating, perhaps due to extreme weather or tiredness, these SmartFleet programme and the trials at Stuttgart. machines will be less influenced by such conditions.”

Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 49 TECHNOLOGYPRODUCT UPDATE | THORDRIVE | PAXLIFT

ThorDrive’s autonomous baggage tractor is based on a Wollard M40 diesel unit; credit John Kim ThorDrive tests autonomous baggage tractor at Cincinnati

Technology developer ThorDrive has trialled a Wollard baggage to scan its operating environment. This is tractor equipped with autonomous driving technology at US compared to the picture of its environment that the unit has scanned into its memory gateway Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport – the result of pre-mapping of the location undertaken by the ThorDrive team and Now based in Cincinnati, ThorDrive was and commercial trucks. Thus, while its scanned into the unit’s software – to enable founded in South Korea by a Seoul National technology has been successfully deployed it to pinpoint its location, navigate and University chairman in 2016 as a specialist into passenger cars, delivery vans and small identify possible hazards. in robotics and artificial intelligence. Its electric utility trucks, industry, logistics autonomous driving technology is said and the aviation industry are also now While GPS also helps the unit to precisely to be built on more than 15 years of prominent in its thinking. identify its location, unlike some of its development by software engineers and autonomous technology peers because it robotics specialists, with the systems used in The collaboration with Cincinnati/ ‘identifies’ and ‘recognises’ the surroundings its autonomous baggage tractor trialled at Northern Kentucky International picked by up the cameras and LIDAR (in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport based Airport dates back to February 2020. future the system will probably call upon on software that has been operationally According to ThorDrive vice president radar as part of the process of building up a tested for three years over more than – business development Eddie Shelton, 3D picture of its environment), the unit does 80,000 miles of driving. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky is not rely completely on GPS for determining extremely innovative in its thinking, its position. That is something that might In 2016, ThorDrive was involved in a with autonomous baggage tractors and be vital if the GPS feed ever goes down, for robotic cab project in downtown Seoul shuttles considered to be potentially example, Shelton points out. and in 2018 it established a presence in important elements of future airside Silicon Valley in California, gaining some operations there. The airport operator When Shelton spoke to Airside in April, success in last-mile delivery systems. has also looked into the possible use of after more than a year of airside testing various robotic technologies landside. the trials at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky ThorDrive specialises in using its proven Installed in a Wollard International M40 International Airport were still ongoing. technology to support markets where diesel tractor, the ThorDrive autonomous Although, he says, “we’re about 90-95% of efficiencies can be quickly realised, including driving technology uses both cameras the way there now, with just a little bit of – but not limited to – passenger vehicles and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) tweaking to do, the process of testing and

50 Airside International | Summer 2021 THORDRIVE | TECHNOLOGY

developing never really ends”. of experience of autonomous driving, but autonomous driving technology, interest the airside environment was new to it and has been keen, Shelton says. With an This is because, while an airport ramp is a lessons had to be learned. ambitious expectation of commercial very controlled environment, unexpected launch before the end of the year, situations do occur and the autonomous Mating the old-style analogue ThorDrive is already talking to several software can always be further improved technology of GSE equipment with the ground service providers and cargo with programmed responses to such digital technology of today required companies about the technology (various eventualities, he suggests. by sophisticated autonomous driving industrial and warehouse logistics-based technology was also a challenge. applications are also being promoted for Moreover, because of the potential the software). for constant improvement, ThorDrive Avoiding collisions is of course critical will always be there post-sale for any in terms of safety. It is also important in While Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky customer who requires assistance, terms of avoiding the financial impact of International Airport would not be a Shelton confirms. And that day might damage to equipment and especially to potential customer – because it does not not be too far away – ThorDrive is aircraft – and, Shelton notes, the value of actually operate GSE – it has proved vital as hopeful of entering into commercial autonomous airside operations lies not a partner (as has Wollard, Shelton notes) sales in the fourth quarter of this year. only in cost savings through efficiencies and can “open doors” for ThorDrive as it and labour-saving but also through seeks potential customers. The biggest issue in the testing at Cincinnati/ avoiding the GSE/GSE and GSE/aircraft Northern Kentucky International Airport collisions that are an unwelcome feature Moreover, while the current tests actually turned out to be ensuring that the of today’s ramp operations. have involved the M40 diesel tractor, system could always identify an aircraft, ThorDrive is also looking to begin as well as other GSE, wing walkers, other Gathering interest project developments that might handlers and all the other entities that can While ThorDrive has only recently begun involve a battery-powered variant of the be found on an apron. ThorDrive had plenty marketing the airside applications of its M40 or a more cargo-focused tractor.

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Summer 2021 | airsideint.com 51 TECHNOLOGY | THORDRIVE

The way of the future? The ThorDrive trials at Cincinnati and the Aurrigo development (see the Aurrigo article earlier in this issue) are only two examples of testing programmes for autonomous baggage tractors that are proving the potential for autonomous GSE.

Earlier this year TractEasy – the autonomous baggage tractor that is jointly built by GSE supplier TLD and autonomous software developer Easymile, and that is commercialised by Smart Airport Systems (part of TLD) – underwent trials at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with the aim of validating how safe and efficient use of such technology will enable self-driving vehicles to be integrated alongside manned vehicles at the Dutch gateway.

The trials, which took place in early Spring this year, were carried out by Royal Schiphol Group in collaboration with KLM Ground Services and Smart Airport Systems.

The test began with the tractor operating in a defined area in which the baggage handling process could be simulated. In the second phase, credit Amsterdam Airport Schiphol the trials moved to an operational environment that saw the tractor bring baggage to an airports. This will allow us to combine insights developed by Toyota Industries is now used aircraft. The self-driving vehicle was loaded in and determine which bottlenecks require for the cabin to enable greater safety while the baggage area, after which it navigated to an particular attention and which steps must be reducing the unit’s weight. aircraft stand via a fixed route. taken in the future as we work towards an autonomous airport. On this basis, we will then ANA has said that it aims to begin utilising During all the trials with the baggage tractor, determine the concrete follow-up steps.” autonomous technologies from this October. there was an operator in the autonomous The carrier has commented that it believes vehicle who could stop the vehicle if necessary. Ingenuity projects that are capable of autonomous Meanwhile, also in Spring this year, another operations will be widespread by 2025 and will The Royal Schiphol Group – owner and operator round of tests saw Japan’s All Nippon Airways form a crucial component of the ‘Simple & of the Netherlands’ biggest airport – has said (ANA) trial an autonomous towing tractor in Smart’ airport of the future. that it anticipates that by 2050, daily operations collaboration with Toyota Industries. on the apron at airports will have changed ANA has worked with Toyota Industries to significantly. Ground-based airport activities such The trials took place at Tokyo Haneda Airport conduct tests of autonomous towing tractors as baggage transport, passenger transport and from late March 29 into April and were the first since 2019 as part of an effort guided by the aircraft towing will not only be “clean, but also of their kind at Haneda. ANA had previously Japanese Government's Ministry of Land, smart and autonomous”, it considers. conducted tests of autonomous vehicles at Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Kyushu Saga Airport and Nagoya Chubu Airport Its aim is ultimately to replace all vehicles and – by building on the information gained “Our work with Toyota Industries has led to operating airside with an interconnected fleet of from those prior tests – at Haneda the unit’s several successful autonomous towing tractor self-driving, emission-free vehicles, in order to navigational capabilities were trialled in open tests that we have continually learned from,” guarantee and improve quality in the long term. spaces as well as congested environments. informs Masaki Yokai, senior vice president of ANA. “As we work with Toyota Industries Hassan Charaf, head of innovation at The autonomous towing tractor was equipped to create the Simple & Smart airport of the Royal Schiphol Group, remarks: “Despite with 3D LIDAR and a 2D laser scanner to enable future, ANA remains committed to integrating the coronavirus crisis, we are continuing it to constantly track its position via road pattern advanced technology in order to improve the to invest in quality and innovation. We matching as well as by its own GPS. travel experience.” have launched the ‘Autonomous Airside Operations’ programme in order to work The latest model trialled is able to transport a Hisashi Ichijo, executive officer of Toyota with airport partners step by step towards large amount of cargo, even in the congested Industries, adds: “We are making important smart and future-proof ground handling. driving conditions found at Haneda. As breakthroughs that bring us one step closer to well as offering increased location tracking our goal of establishing autonomous driving “In this early phase, we are focusing on abilities and improved towing capacity even technology that is able to make airport logistics knowledge development through trials at various on adverse slopes, a plastic glazing window smarter around the world.”

52 Airside International | Summer 2021 C

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