Aurrigo has developed a dedicated rain operation algorithm for its airport automatic towing vehicle Auto-DollyTug, along with a protective housing for the lidar sensor. This enables it to distinguish raindrops from actual obstacles in heavy rain conditions of 50 millimeters per hour, ensuring stable autonomous transportation of luggage and cargo.

dnata Group's Airport Handling has been awarded a seven-year ground handling license at Rome Fiumicino Airport. It has committed to investing over 20 million euros to upgrade the hub's infrastructure and equipment, and plans to deploy a ground support equipment fleet mainly powered by electricity.

Schiphol Airport handles an average of about 31,000 pieces of transfer luggage per day, and the morning rush hour puts pressure on the luggage handling system. For this purpose, the airport, in collaboration with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, has introduced the Aurrigo automatic luggage Tug (Auto DollyTug) for trials. This device is responsible for transporting the luggage of passengers with long transfer times

We have been awarded the maintenance contract for DNATA's Singapore cargo handling system, with the service scope covering the Automated Cargo Handling System (ACHS), the Pallet Cargo Handling System (PCHS), the refrigerated and perishable goods terminal mechanical system, as well as its first material handling system installed in Asia in 1979 (which is undergoing an upgrade).

Swissport has successfully renewed the ground service license for Zurich Airport, with the validity period extending until 2032. It will be able to continue providing a full range of ground services including passenger services, baggage handling, aircraft pushback, and deicing.

Hungary Airlines has launched scheduled cargo services between Budapest and Hong Kong with Airbus A330F freighters (62 tonnes capacity), appointing Hactl to provide one-stop cargo handling solutions covering terminal operations, loading/unloading and documentation. Leveraging Budapest’s e-commerce hub status, the route serves as a key link between Greater China and Europe. The airline also plans to expand its fleet and add services to the USA and Middle East. Hactl’s CEO noted the partnership enhances the company’s global connectivity and aligns with its focus on e-commerce logistics.

SAASA Global will launch the construction of its first freight warehouse in Madrid, thereby becoming the third third-party freight logistics operator at Madrid-Barajas Airport. The warehouse, with a construction area of 6,100 square meters, will be built by Napisa and the total investment will amount to 20.5 million euros.

Brussels Airport launched a ground service provider selection process in February 2024, covering baggage handling, ramp handling, freight/mail transport, and catering transport. Sustainability (especially electrification) was a core criterion, aligned with its goal of full ground operation electrification supported by the EU’s BREEZE programme and its environmental permit (80% zero-emission airside vehicles by 2030). 

The newly established Skyway Airlines of the Philippines officially launched a cargo flight route to Hong Kong on March 20th. It focuses on the e-commerce logistics sector and operates 6 Boeing 737-400 cargo flights per week (with a capacity of 18 tons). Among them, 3 flights are via Clark and 3 flights depart from Manila.

Air Canada announced that its Quebec City (YQB) station will fully switch fossil fuel-powered ground support equipment (GSE) to electric alternatives, a move timed to Earth Month and serving as a mid-term step toward the airline’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal.

Air Canada announced it will replace all fossil fuel-powered ground support equipment (GSE) with electric alternatives at Quebec City (YQB) station, timed to the start of Earth Month.

The Neos 3F ride-on electric pallet truck is designed for confined airport spaces (warehouses, loading/unloading zones) to handle ULDs, slave pallets and containers efficiently. It boasts a three-fork system with 7.5-ton load capacity, 2400mm-long forks (120mm above ground) and nylon front guards for cargo protection.

Aviation Solutions has collaborated with Aurrigo to develop autonomous airport solutions, Auto-DollyTug and Auto-Sim. This partnership was announced last year and has now entered the commercialization stage after being tested and verified by Royal Schiphol Group under contract. It will be promoted in airports worldwide.

Cathay Cargo Terminal successfully completed an autonomous tow tractor (AET) trial at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), with the AET independently finishing end-to-end cargo transfer workflows. The trial featured a unique precise docking solution for seamless ULD loading and enhanced digital security check-in/out, and was co-conducted with Airport Authority Hong Kong and Chinese autonomous driving firm UISEE. The trial proves AETs can advance cargo workflow efficiency, reduce manual processes and carbon emissions, while reinforcing HKIA’s leadership in smart logistics and sustainable aviation.

Leeds Bradford Airport has expanded its electric vehicle fleet to 12 with seven new additions, a key step toward its 2030 net zero target. It clarifies that EV emissions fall into Scope 2 while fuel-powered vehicle emissions are Scope 1, and cutting both is critical to its decarbonization goals. Joselyn Rankin notes that on-site partners like airlines are the main source of the airport’s emissions, and the airport is committed to supporting partners’ decarbonization efforts through constructive discussions. In addition to electrification, the airport has launched a 2,000-litre hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) trial for heavy airside vehicles such as passenger transfer buses, which can reduce emissions by up to 90% and bring multiple operational benefits.

Edmonton International Airport, Canada’s first airport to do so, will pilot DTI’s hydrogen-diesel technology on runway snow sweepers with Alberta Innovates’ funding. Aimed at cutting ground operation carbon emissions, promoting hydrogen use and advancing aviation sustainability, the project involves retrofitting sweepers with DTI’s Guardian System (enabling Tier 3 diesel engines to use hydrogen as supplementary fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions without major infrastructure changes). It will address Tier 3 engines’ challenges, with retrofits starting this spring and taking about a year. The initiative is crucial for aviation sustainability and will demonstrate hydrogen’s potential in high-demand environments, facilitating global off-road operation transformation.

Fusion Processing has collaborated with Construct Invest to deploy a 4-level fully automatic electric airport bus equipped with the CAVstar autonomous driving system. This system has undergone 90,000 kilometers of field testing and can reduce operating costs by 30%, energy consumption by 7%, and also improve efficiency by replacing the on-board driver with a remote operator. In addition, it offers advantages such as enhanced safety, reduced fuel consumption, and decreased tire and brake wear. The two parties aim to help the airport improve ground traffic efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, and promote the practical application of autonomous driving technology.

Skytanking's acquisition of Active Automobile Electrical. Active Automobile Electrical is an automotive electrical service provider that offers services to over 80 ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles at Sydney Airport, supports the regional airport network in New South Wales, and provides on-demand services to all other major airports in Australia.

Based on the remote-controlled vehicle test conducted at Kansai International Airport in April 2023, the first EZTow unmanned Level 4 trial was launched. This trial was jointly carried out by Lotte Air, Panasonic Holdings, Nagase Technical Services and Kansai Airport. There were no on-board operators throughout the process. The trial will verify the equipment's ability to pass through narrow spaces such as the baggage claim area in the actual airport operation environment, as well as its ability to identify and respond to pedestrians.

DNATA plans to expand its fleet by 800 advanced low-emission ground support equipment (GSE) units by 2025 based on the long-term global contract signed with leading manufacturers in 2024. The related agreement is valued at 210 million US dollars. The equipment will be deployed in 10 countries (with a focus on the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, etc.).