Wizz Air and Menzies Aviation have achieved fully electric turnarounds at Budapest Airport, supporting Menzies Aviation’s “electric first” initiative, which includes a commitment to 25% electric GSE globally by 2025.
Budapest Airport provides charging infrastructure for electric equipment, powered by renewable energy sources. In addition, Menzies Aviation’s use of electric baggage tractors and belt loaders, passenger steps with solar panels, ground power unit, a pushback as well as portable water and lavatory units contributes to the improvement of operational efficiency during Wizz Air departures at the airport.
“Carbon neutrality is one of our key strategic objectives, and we encourage our partners to achieve it too,” said Mike Carlson, Budapest Airport’s Chief Financial Officer.
“It is Budapest Airport’s responsibility to provide accessible, environmentally friendly infrastructure, including various technologies and solutions, and we expect our partners to support our sustainability initiatives.”
“As an airport operator, we are doing a lot to ensure that the airport operates as sustainably as possible,” he added. “We have reduced our direct emissions from operations by 65% in ten years. There are already more than 100 electric ground handling vehicles performing their duties at the airport every day, with 43 charging parking positions available to charge them.”
Katy Reid, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Menzies Aviation, said: “We are setting science-based targets to reach net-zero across scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2045. We are taking action by switching to electric GSE where possible and using alternative fuels. Ongoing collaboration with partners, such as Wizz Air and Budapest Airport, will be vital to achieving this ambition.”
Image: Wizz Air and Menzies Aviation at Budapest Airport
