Hawaiian Airlines Shifts Honolulu Ground Crew To Electric Power

Hawaiian Airlines has introduced 116 electric luggage trolleys, conveyor loaders and aircraft pushers at its Honolulu hub, replacing the previous diesel and propane ground support equipment. These battery-powered devices account for 73% of the airport's fleet and can eliminate fossil fuel consumption, smoke and leaks, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also lowering maintenance costs and noise, improving efficiency and enhancing the working environment for hundreds of apron staff.

The sustainability director of Hawaiian Airlines stated that this is an important step in the company's long-term strategy and expressed gratitude for the state transportation department's cooperation in investing in charging facilities. The transportation department has installed 30 charging stations (60 interfaces) at the airport, and another 4 (8 interfaces) are under construction and are expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2026. The director of the transportation department said that this move will contribute to building long-term energy security for Hawaii and will provide the airline with two years of free charging services.

After testing and feedback from the team, Hawaiian Airlines has selected specific models from Charlatte and Kalmar. Among them, the conveyor loader has been modified to support both narrow-body and wide-body fleets. The new equipment is equipped with safety features such as cab protection and sensor guidance. The annual environmental benefits are equivalent to planting 7,000 trees or reducing 65 cars. Hawaiian Airlines plans to promote electric ground support equipment at other airports in Hawaii. Currently, 42% of the ground support equipment of the Alaska Airlines Group (including Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Horizon Airlines) is electric.