Airport operator Fraport has partnered with airline operator Lufthansa, the State of Hesse and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, to open a Green Gate at Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
The Green Gate is part of an initiative called E-PORT AN, which showcases the numerous electric mobility projects being undertaken at the terminal gate areas. This includes models, information panels and animations that depict electric aircraft ground services such as solar-powered passenger airstairs, electric conveyor belt vehicles, hybrid aircraft tugs and electric pallet trucks.
Norbert Barthle, parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, said, “The use of electric vehicles in aircraft servicing and towing traffic, can substantially reduce noise and emissions at airports. This protects the environment and the staff on the ground. As part of the Rhine-Main Electromobility Model Region, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is funding the E-PORT AN project with a total of €8m (US$9.2m). I am delighted that from today passengers can inform themselves about green ground services.”
Klaus Froese, board member, operations and hub, Frankfurt, Lufthansa German Airlines, said, “We are pleased to present our electric mobility projects at the Green Gate. Thus our passengers can enjoy not only the usual Lufthansa quality on their flight, but beyond that also experience a green ground service.
“In addition to our investment in particularly efficient and low-noise aircraft, we are also engaged in innovation on the ground. With the TaxiBot, for example, we have a worldwide unique aircraft tug with hybrid drive, which can be controlled on its way to the runway by the pilot himself. Since he pulls the plane without running engines to the take-off runway, our ground processes will be not only quieter, but we also save fuel and protect the environment.”
