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Pilot John makes mobile GSE service available nationwide

Pilot John International Mobile Service Team at Work resizedPilot John International (PJi) has made its OEM-certified mobile GSE service available nationwide, cutting downtime and boosting efficiency.

The mobile service brings OEM-trained and certified service technicians on-site to provide preventative maintenance, diagnostics, inspections and repairs directly to customers’ hangars and ramps.

Technicians come fully equipped to perform a wide range of GSE support including routine maintenance, annual inspections and diagnostics.

PJi also offers on-site equipment training to customers.

Since its launch, demand for the mobile service has increased steadily with requests to diagnose broken equipment, repair Kunz equipment and service large quantities of equipment at once.

Mobile services eliminate the need to transport GSE offsite for repairs or inspections, helping operators keep control of costs and maximise equipment uptime.

John Werner, President of Pilot John International said: “With our mobile service now available across the country, FBOs, MROs and corporate flight departments can count on PJi for responsive, high-quality maintenance and repairs that keep their operations moving.”

The mobile units are equipped with all the necessary tools and components to service both motorised and non-motorised GSE including ground power units, lavatory and water trucks, aircraft tugs, towbars and axle jacks.

Each service visit adheres to stringent servicing and testing guidelines to ensure compliance with manufacturer specifications and industry standards.

TLD supplies SAASA with GSE at Jorge Chavez Airport

SAASA GSE for Jorge Chavez new airport resizedServicios Aeroportuarios Andinos (SAASA) has finalised the acquisition of GSE worth $5.9 million for operations at the new Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru.

On Friday 20 June, SAASA took delivery of two TPX-200MTX Towbarless tractors from TLD, completing the first batch of 25 pieces of GSE and 25 pallet carrier dollies.

The delivery is part of a broader investment plan for equipment at the airport, which will continue this year.

Enrique Vargas, General Manager of SAASA said: “This investment reflects our commitment to operational safety and the use of state-of-the-art technology. We incorporate equipment with advanced telemetry systems and approach sensors, such as loaders and motorised ladders, which significantly improve safety in aircraft operation.”

GCG Barbados invests in GSE fleet

GCG Barbados invests in advanced GSE resizedGCG Barbados is investing over BBD$4 million ($2 million) in advanced GSE to support increased air traffic at Grantley Adams International Airport.

The investment will enhance the travel experience of tourists while fostering economic and workforce development in Barbados.

GCG adds that the investment highlights its role in driving sustainable growth by contributing to Barbados’ infrastructure and investing in local talent.

Cross-training programmes and expanding its seasonal workforce is bolstering GCG’s capabilities with more skilled workers than a year ago.

Ainsley Rajkumar, Cluster General Manager (South Caribbean) at GCG said: “Our focus extends beyond commercial success; it’s about creating lasting impact through excellence, skill-building, and readiness for future growth. By enhancing operational efficiency and service quality, we also contribute to a seamless and elevated experience for passengers, ensuring their journey through Barbados is as memorable a one worth repeating.”

Hadley Bourne, CEO of Grantley Adams International Airport said investing in advanced GSE aligns with the airport’s efforts to achieve operational excellence, saying: “This shared commitment to enhancing efficiency and service quality underscores the importance of collaboration among our airport community. By continuing to work together, we elevate the passenger experience and solidify our airport’s role as a gateway that reflects the best of Barbados.”

Textron GSE launches Premier TT4000 tanker truck

Textron GSE TT4000 resizedTextron GSE has introduced the Premier TT4000 tanker truck, which allows ground handlers to refill active de-icers on the ramp.

The TT4000 has 4,000 gallons of capacity, allowing it to refill up to three de-icers in a single trip from its twin linked 1,500 gallon tanks for de-icing fluid and 1,000 gallon tank for anti-ice fluid.

The tanks are built from 12-gauge A304 stainless steel engineered specifically for glycol use.

Its pumping system is designed to rapidly refill de-icers and can refill a de-icer in as little as 10 minutes.

The hydraulically driven, centrifugal-style Gorman Rupp de-icing fluid pump moves up 200 gallons per minute at 25 PSI.

The tanker truck’s anti-ice fluid pump is a self-priming diaphragm pump with positive displacement that transfers fluid at 75 gallons per minute.

The unit features separate 25-foot hoses for both de-icing and anti-icing operations, mounted to reels with a 12-volt retraction system for safe and convenient hose management.

The tanker truck is built on a Freightliner M2 106 commercial-truck chassis and powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder Cummins L9 diesel engine.

The top speed is limited to 30 mph for ramp safety.

Morgan Gresens, Vice President and General Manager of Textron GSE said: “The TT4000 provides Textron GSE customers with a safe, reliable and efficient means to boost ramp productivity, minimise de-icer downtime and ultimately get passengers and cargo in the air on schedule.”

Mallaghan raises $24,000 at charity golf tournament

Mallaghan hosts 3rd Annual Shamrock Golf Tournament resizedMallaghan has raised $24,000 for charity at its 3rd Annual Shamrock Classic Golf Tournament.

The event brought together clients, employees and friends with all funds raised being donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, BYRD House, Frayed Edges Foundation and Hunter Scarborough Foundation.

It was supported by key sponsors from Delta Air Lines, Water Truck and Tractor, and Averest.

The Annual Shamrock Classic Golf Tournament was established in 2022 to commemorate Shane MacMahon, a valued Mallaghan colleague who lost his life to suicide.

Niall Mallaghan, Director of Mallaghan said: “What began as a way to honour the memory of our dear friend and colleague Shane MacMahon has evolved into a powerful platform for raising awareness and funding for mental health and suicide prevention.”

He added: “At Mallaghan, we are committed to championing mental health awareness and proud to play a part in driving meaningful change within our community. We have no doubt that this donation will go a long way towards helping our nominated charities continue the important work that they do.”

Joe Griffith, Chief Commercial Officer of Mallaghan added: “We often talk about building long-term relationships with our clients and our people, and this event is a real expression of that value in action. I would like to thank our sponsors and all members of the Mallaghan team who worked together to make our 3rd Annual Shamrock Classic Golf Tournament such a success.”

Speaking on behalf of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Chelsea Piatt, Area Director AFSP Georgia Chapter said: “We are truly grateful for Mallaghan’s continued commitment to mental health and suicide prevention. The support that it offers helps us save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

The 4th Annual Shamrock Classic Golf Tournament is set to take place on Friday 17 October at the White Oak Golf Club.

El Dorado improves turnarounds with SITA A-CDM

El Dorado implements SITA ACDM resizedEl Dorado International Airport has implemented an Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system from SITA to make aircraft turnaround times more predictable.

Airport operator OPAIN is working with SITA to implement the system, which will improve real-time data sharing among airlines, ground handlers and air traffic control by increasing coordination for more efficient use of ground resources and runway slots.

This will reduce delays, cut fuel consumption and improve on-time performance.

El Dorado airport in Bogota is the first airport in Latin America to implement A-CDM and comes after years of strong growth.

Natali Leal, CEO of OPAIN said: “This rapid expansion brings challenges in maintaining operational efficiency and punctuality. Implementing the A-CDM system allows us to address these challenges head-on by having better coordination among all stakeholders. This collaborative approach is essential for strengthening the passenger experience and making sure our growth is sustainable.”

The implementation in Bogota integrates SITA’s Collaborative Decision-Making tools including the Pre-Departure Sequencer, Airport Management System and Operations Manager for streamlined and efficient operations.

Shawn Gregor, President of SITA Americas says air traffic growth in Latin America means there is a need for solutions to increase efficiency and resilience.

He said: “Technologies like A-CDM are key in meeting these demands, allowing airports to optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and improve the overall travel experience. Supporting El Dorado in setting a new standard for airport management is a big step for both the airport and the region as a whole.”

At European airports, A-CDM has delivered estimated annual fuel savings of 360,000kg of fuel, reduced delays by 2,000 minutes per year and cut taxiing times by 26,300 minutes.

It has improved the ability to forecast operating conditions, reduced air traffic flow management slot waste and enhanced pre-takeoff planning.

EUROCONTROL data says A-CDM has improved take-off time accuracy, cutting the average gap between planned and actual departure from 14 minutes to 5-7 minutes.

Joseph Davis leads customer experience at Mercury GSE

Joe Davis VP Customer Experience and Bob Travis President of Mercury GSE resizedMercury GSE has appointed Joseph Davis to the newly-created position of Vice President of Customer Experience.

In this new role, Davis will be responsible for leading customer-centric initiatives designed to enhance Mercury GSE’s service model, drive account growth and further elevate customer experience.

This will include deepening relationships with passenger and cargo airlines, MRO providers and ground handling operators.

Bob Travis, President of Mercury GSE said: “At Mercury GSE, our customers come first—and the relationship we have with each client is what drives our success. With Joe’s experience and vision, we’re taking a big step forward in ensuring that every interaction with Mercury reflects the best our industry has to offer.”

Davis joins from Oshkosh AeroTech where he most recently served as Senior Sales Account Manager.

Commenting on his new role, Davis said: “As the industry evolves, Mercury’s commitment to preventative maintenance, 24/7 support, and tailored leasing solutions makes this an exciting time to drive customer growth and retention.”

Talma opens GSE maintenance centre in Bogota

IMG_CET TALMA BOGOTÁ 1 resizedTalma has opened the Talma Specialized Center (CET) to provide GSE maintenance services at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport.

The airport services company has invested $4 million in the centre, which covers 7,400m2 and provides maintenance services for equipment including pushbacks, GPUs, ASUs, ramp buses, conveyor belts and passenger stairs.

It has technical areas for servicing, diagnosis and maintenance of equipment with energy backup systems and pneumatic technology to ensure operational continuity.

There are also administrative areas for collaborative work, training and employee welfare.

Gonzalo Aristizabal, General Manager of Talma Colombia, said: “This infrastructure allows us to increase Talma Colombia’s technical and operational capacity, strengthen the reliability of our services and respond more efficiently to the demands of the airport sector. With the CET, we reaffirm our commitment to leading our sector’s transformation in the country and actively contributing to the logistics development of the region.”

Edmonton to test hydrogen duel-fuel in snow sweepers

Edmonton Airport hydrogen dual fuel snow sweeper resizedEdmonton International Airport and Diesel Tech Industries (DTI) will explore the integration of the Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System into two of the airport’s heavy-duty runway snow sweepers.

Edmonton will be the first Canadian airport to explore adopting DTI’s hydrogen and diesel technology into runway snow sweepers.

Funding is being provided by Alberta Innovates to reduce the airport’s carbon emissions from ground operations, advance hydrogen adoption and support global aviation in becoming more sustainable.

The runway snow sweepers will be retrofitted with the Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System, which gives Tier 3 diesel engines the option to use hydrogen as a supplementary fuel while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions without extensive infrastructure modifications.

The project will address the unique challenges of higher-emission Tier 3 engines including more demanding, high-load operational cycle and the complexity of the dual-engine configuration.

The conversions will begin this spring and take around one year to complete.

Peter Agnew, Vice President Infrastructure, Facilities & Airside at Edmonton International Airport, said: “Reducing emissions from airport ground fleets, especially runway snow sweepers that are designed to operate in demanding winter climates, is a crucial step toward sustainability. Hydrogen/diesel dual-fuel technology offers an innovative pathway to decarbonisation, and we are excited to continue to showcase the practical benefits of hydrogen at YEG.”

Rebecca Goldsack, COO of Diesel Tech Industries, added: “Airports are vital transportation hubs that operate internationally, making this project a significant demonstration of hydrogen’s potential in high-demand environments. The success of this initiative will showcase how hydrogen can transform off-road operations worldwide, proving that sustainability and efficiency can go hand in hand on or off-road.”

Air Canada to go fully electric in Quebec City

Air Canada to use eGSE in Quebec City resizedAir Canada will make Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport its first station to operate a 100% electric GSE fleet by the end of the year.

At the Quebec City (YQB) station, Air Canada will complete its transition away from fossil fuel-powered equipment to electric alternatives for baggage and ramp tractors, belt loaders, power stows, container loaders and aircraft tractors.

The announcement coincided with the start of Earth Month.

Switching to eGSE is a mid-term step towards the long-term goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Using 2019 as a baseline, Air Canada aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from air operations by 20% and 30% from ground operations by 2030.

Michael Rousseau, President and CEO of Air Canada, said: “The focus of Earth Month 2025 is renewable energy and with Quebec’s renewable hydroelectric power, it is fitting that the city of Quebec is our first fully electric capable station. This project demonstrates the successful collaboration between Air Canada and the YQB airport authority in developing the necessary charging infrastructure to support the transition to a zero direct emission eGSE fleet powered by Quebec’s renewable energy grid.”

Stephane Poirier, President and CEO of the airport, added: “This project was made possible thanks to close collaboration between our teams, and is perfectly in line with our commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations, as well as to provide the support and tools necessary for our airline partners to achieve their GHG reduction objectives. We are proud that YQB is the first Air Canada station to take this important step towards environmental sustainability.”

Air Canada has been retiring older fossil fuel-powered GSE in favour of eGSE and it has over 900 pieces of eGSE equipment, representing 35% of its GSE fleet.

Some operations still require fossil fuel-powered GSE so Air Canada will work with manufacturers to evaluate new technologies, says the airline.

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