Menzies Aviation Achieves 25 Percent Electric Ground Support Equipment Target

This article is based on an official press release from Menzies Aviation.

The aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, and while in-flight emissions dominate headlines, ground operations offer immediate opportunities for sustainability. According to a recent press release, Menzies Aviation has officially reached its global target of electrifying 25% of its Ground Support Equipment (GSE) by the end of 2025.

Menzies Aviation, recognized as the world’s largest aviation services company operating at 347 airports across 65 countries, achieved this milestone through a dedicated $200 million investment aimed at modernizing its vehicle fleet. The company reported adding more than 620 electric GSE assets to its operations in 2025 alone, pushing the global proportion of its electric equipment from 22% in 2024 to the 25% target. Currently, 11 Menzies locations operate fleets with more than 70% electric GSE, and over 20 locations have surpassed the 50% mark.

Driving the Transition: Fleet Modernization and Regional Success

European Operations Lead the Charge

The transition to electric GSE is heavily dependent on local airport charging infrastructure, leading to regional variations in adoption. In its press release, Menzies Aviation highlighted Europe as the leading region, with more than 50% of all GSE across the continent now fully electric.

Specific European locations have achieved even higher electrification rates. At Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Italy, a partnership with AGS Handling has resulted in over 80% of motorized GSE becoming electric. When combined with a permanent switch to electric Pre-Conditioned Air Units, this allows for fully electric aircraft turnarounds. Additionally, the company noted that Manchester Airport in the UK increased its electric GSE to 40% following the deployment of two hybrid de-icing rigs, while London Gatwick (LGW) and Copenhagen (CPH) introduced fully electric fuel hydrant dispensers to support quieter, lower-emission operations.

Progress in Oceania and South East Asia

Progress is also visible outside of Europe. Menzies Aviation reported that its operations in Oceania and South East Asia increased to 30% electric GSE in 2025. As part of this regional push, the company has initiated trials for electric ground power units (GPUs) in Cairns, Australia.

Bridging the Gap with Alternative Fuels

Recognizing that full electrification is not yet viable at all airports due to infrastructure constraints, Menzies Aviation has expanded its use of lower-emission alternative fuels. The company’s press release details a significant pivot toward Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) where electric charging grids remain insufficient.

In 2025, Menzies utilized two million liters of HVO, marking a 50% year-on-year increase from 2024. According to the company, HVO has fully replaced diesel in several major locations, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Stockholm Arlanda. The use of this alternative fuel has also been expanded at London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW).

Corporate Strategy and Financial Alignment

The 25% electric GSE milestone is a component of Menzies Aviation’s broader “All In” sustainability strategy, which targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. The company noted it is the first major aviation services provider to have its net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), adding scientific credibility to its corporate goals.

“2025 was a year of real progress towards our net-zero target. Achieving our ambitious goal of 25% electric GSE by 2025 across our fleet and accelerating our adoption of lower‑emissions fuels and renewable energy demonstrates our commitment to reducing emissions, even as our global network continues to grow. We are now focused on building on this momentum, with further increases in electric GSE already underway across our network.”

Crucially, the press release indicates that these sustainability investments are occurring alongside robust financial growth. Menzies reported a 16% year-on-year growth in 2025, surpassing $3 billion in revenue, demonstrating that aggressive decarbonization efforts can run parallel to global expansion.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that while sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and next-generation electric aircraft frequently dominate media coverage regarding aviation decarbonization, ground operations represent a highly actionable area for immediate, measurable emissions reductions. Transitioning tarmac vehicles from diesel to electric power directly reduces Scope 1 emissions while simultaneously improving local air quality and lowering noise pollution for airport workers and surrounding communities.

However, the data provided by Menzies Aviation underscores a critical industry bottleneck: infrastructure. The speed of GSE electrification is intrinsically linked to the willingness and ability of airports to upgrade their electrical grids and charging capabilities. The reliance on bridge technologies like HVO in major hubs such as Los Angeles and London Heathrow highlights that even well-capitalized service providers must wait for municipal and airport infrastructure to catch up with corporate sustainability ambitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Ground Support Equipment (GSE)?
GSE refers to the vehicles and machinery found on an airport tarmac used to service aircraft between flights. This includes baggage tugs, fuel hydrant dispensers, ground power units, and de-icing rigs.

Why is Menzies Aviation using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)?
While Menzies is transitioning to electric equipment, many airports currently lack the electrical grid infrastructure required to charge large fleets of electric vehicles. HVO serves as a lower-emission “bridge” fuel that can immediately replace diesel in existing combustion engines without requiring new infrastructure.

What is the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)?
The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets grounded in climate science. Menzies Aviation is the first major aviation services provider to have its net-zero targets validated by this body.

Sources: Menzies Aviation Press Release