Jet2.com completes transition to fully electric ground service equipment at Newcastle Airport

Low cost leisure airline Jet2.com has announced that all of its owned ground service equipment (GSE) at Newcastle Airport now operates entirely on electric power, marking a significant step in the airline’s sustainability programme for ground operations.

image: Jet2.com

The transition to 100% electric GSE at Newcastle forms part of Jet2.com’s long-term strategy to reduce emissions across its airside operations and improve air quality around the airport. The shift encompasses a wide range of vehicles and equipment, including baggage tractors, belt loaders, steps, ground power units, high-loaders and crew transport vehicles that previously relied on fossil fuels.

Jet2.com said the transition was enabled by close collaboration with Newcastle Airport to ensure that suitable electric charging infrastructure and operational support were in place to support the full electrification of its equipment lineup. Together, they planned and deployed the required charging capacity to handle the new electric fleet, addressing one of the key operational requirements for switching from conventional diesel-powered units to battery-electric alternatives.

Paul Southall, Head of Sustainability at Jet2, described reaching the milestone as “a major achievement” that reflects the company’s commitment to cutting ground-based emissions and supporting cleaner airside operations. He said the airline will continue rolling out similar electrification programmes at its other UK bases.

Jet2.com has set a broader target of reaching a 99% reduction in emissions from its owned ground service equipment by 2035. The airline’s sustainability strategy also includes other ground-focused initiatives such as all-electric crew buses and an electric car salary-exchange scheme for staff, alongside wider efforts to reduce carbon emissions in flight and on the ground.