Publish Time: 2026-01-04 Origin: Site
Air Canada will fully replace fossil fuel-powered ground support equipment (GSE) such as baggage tractors, belt loaders and aircraft tractors with electric alternatives at Quebec City (YQB) station, with the announcement timed to coincide with the start of Earth Month. This shift to electric GSE (eGSE) is a mid-term initiative that aligns with the airline’s long-term target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Michael Rousseau, Air Canada’s President and CEO, noted that Quebec’s renewable hydroelectric power makes YQB the ideal location to launch the airline’s first fully electric station, highlighting the successful collaboration with the local airport authority to build supporting charging infrastructure. For his part, Stephane Poirier, President and CEO of YQB airport, emphasized that the project reflects the airport’s commitment to cutting operational carbon footprint and supporting airline partners in their emission reduction goals.
Air Canada has been phasing out old fossil fuel-powered GSE in favor of electric models, now boasting over 900 pieces of eGSE that account for 35% of its total GSE fleet. As some operations still rely on fossil fuel-powered equipment, the airline stated it will partner with manufacturers to assess new technologies for further upgrades.