Swissport Sets New Sustainability Benchmark with All-Electric Ground Handling Operation in Switzerland
(IN SHORT) Swissport has completed Switzerland’s first fully electric aircraft turnaround at Geneva Airport, handling a Brussels Airlines flight using exclusively electric ground support equipment from arrival to departure. The milestone demonstrates that comprehensive ground handling operations can be delivered with lower emissions while maintaining safety, efficiency, and punctuality. The achievement reflects Swissport’s broader strategy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, supported by significant investment in electric ground support equipment, science-based climate targets, and industry-leading sustainability performance recognised by EcoVadis and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
(PRESS RELEASE) GENEVA, 2026-Jan-30 — /Travel PR News/ — Swissport has achieved a major milestone in sustainable aviation operations after completing the first fully electric aircraft turnaround in Switzerland at Geneva Airport. On 29 January, Swissport handled a Brussels Airlines aircraft using exclusively electric ground support equipment from landing through to take-off, marking a national first and reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to decarbonising ground operations.
The electric turnaround covered the full scope of ground handling services, including passenger disembarkation and boarding, baggage and cargo handling, aircraft pushback, and servicing. All activities were performed using fully electric ground support equipment such as baggage tractors, conveyor belt loaders, passenger boarding stairs, and pushback tractors. The operation demonstrated that low-emission ground handling can be delivered without compromising safety, punctuality, or operational efficiency.
This milestone aligns with Swissport’s global sustainability strategy, which targets net-zero emissions by 2050 and includes the electrification of 55% of its worldwide ground support equipment fleet by 2032. By replacing conventional diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives, Swissport aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions while maintaining reliable and seamless airport operations.
Geneva Airport has become a focal point for Swissport’s sustainable investment programme. More than 60% of the company’s ground support equipment fleet at the airport is already electric, including all baggage tractors and over half of baggage belt loaders, ground power units, passenger boarding stairs, and vehicles. Since 2024, Swissport has invested more than CHF 3 million in electric ground support equipment at the Geneva site alone, accelerating the transition toward low-emission airport services.
Swissport’s decarbonisation efforts are underpinned by science-based emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, ensuring alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Globally, 26% of Swissport’s approximately 14,600-unit motorised ground support fleet is already fully electric, with steady progress toward the company’s 2032 electrification target.
Beyond equipment electrification, Swissport is actively engaged in transparent sustainability reporting and performance benchmarking. The company participates in the Carbon Disclosure Project and has retained the EcoVadis Platinum medal for the second consecutive year, making it the only aviation services provider worldwide to achieve this level of recognition and placing it among the top 1% of companies assessed globally for sustainability performance.
By completing Switzerland’s first fully electric aircraft turnaround and continuing to scale sustainable ground handling solutions, Swissport is setting new standards for environmental responsibility across the aviation services sector.
Media contact:
Nathalie Berchtold
Swissport & Checkport
media@swissport.com
SOURCE: Swissport International AG
