Publish Time: 2026-01-04 Origin: Site
Air Canada will fully transition its ground support equipment (GSE) – including baggage tractors, belt loaders and aircraft tractors – at Quebec City’s YQB station from fossil fuel to electric power. The announcement was timed to coincide with the launch of Earth Month.
This shift to electric GSE is a mid-term initiative aligned with Air Canada’s long-term net-zero emissions target by 2050. Building on a 2019 baseline, the airline aims to slash air operations emissions by 20% and ground operations emissions by 30% by 2030. Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau highlighted Quebec’s renewable hydroelectricity as a key factor for selecting YQB as the first fully electric station, citing successful collaboration with the airport authority on charging infrastructure. YQB CEO Stephane Poirier echoed this, noting the project aligns with the airport’s sustainability commitments and support for airline partners’ emission-reduction goals.
Air Canada has been phasing out older fossil-fuel GSE in favor of electric alternatives, now boasting over 900 electric units that make up 35% of its total GSE fleet. Recognizing some operations still rely on fossil fuel-powered equipment, the airline stated it will partner with manufacturers to assess new technologies for further electrification.