Leading airports globally and Hong Kong’s business community with the Airside Vehicle Electrification Programme

Established in 2013, the Airside Vehicle Electrification Programme seeks to phase out non-electric vehicles used across HKIA’s airport operations. What we have achieved so far as we head into Phase 3 of the programme –

• • Phase 1 (completed): All saloon cars in the Airport Restricted Area (ARA) have been replaced with EVs since 2017. Today, all newly registered saloons are required to be EVs.
  • Phase 2 (completed): All airside private vehicles with a gross weight of less than 3 tonnes were replaced by EVs since the end of 2023.
  • Phase 3 (ongoing): A plan has been set to phase out the existing airside fleet of non-electric vans, mini-buses and buses by 2030, subject to market availability.

Facilitating the EV transition by expanding airport-wide Electric Charging Infrastructure

To facilitate the transition towards EVs, AAHK has installed more than 690 EV chargers on the apron (as of October 2023), and we plan to increase this number to 1,300 to support our Three-Runway System (3RS) operations by 2030.

In addition, a Smart-to-Charge (STC) System has been installed on the airside, which has a built-in intelligence feature that allows AAHK to supply electricity to multiple EVs more efficiently. The STC system enables AAHK to:

• Optimise the charging capacity of our expanding EV fleets by monitoring the battery condition of each vehicle that is being charged.
• Reduce installation costs for future charging facilities to be built under our EV100 Commitment.

First airport globally to electrify Ground Services Equipment (GSE) at scale

Before the scheme was created, many of our ramp handling operators (RHOs) were using aged diesel-powered GSE to facilitate ramp handling operations. This in itself is a carbon-intensive operation – and the issue compounded further when increased flight arrivals during peak periods led to traffic congestion across our Midfield Apron, affecting baggage delivery times.

Faced with the two-fold need to uphold HKIA’s service standards and to lower carbon emissions, the Ground Services Equipment (GSE) Pooling Scheme was created in 2018 to ensure the timely provision of GSE. The scheme has enabled us to:

• Catalyse the transition from aged fossil-powered GSE to electric equivalents, and
• Optimise the way we use our network of GSE especially when flight arrivals surge during peak periods.

Today, the scheme has been well received by our airport stakeholders including RHOs as it is not only a greener way to operate, but also a cheaper one as costs are lowered via resource sharing. In addition, the resource optimisation has reduced the overall GSE fleet size needed at HKIA without compromising on our service standards of timely baggage delivery.

Phase 1 (completed)

1. Lowering carbon emissions: Implemented in 2018, AAHK electrified 95% of 250 GSE that are categorised as critical to our operations, including electric lower deck loaders, electric conveyor belt loaders, electric passenger steps and main deck loaders. This made an immediate impact on reducing carbon emissions, while simultaneously improving air quality as greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants are lowered.
2. Reducing operational costs: : Under the GSE Pooling Scheme, all critical GSE are on stand-by at every parking stand so the need for mobilising additional GSE is minimised. This reduces unnecessary traffic on apron roads which can lead to congestion. The centralised provision, management and maintenance of all critical GSE has reduced operational costs for RHOs.
3. Upholding performance: The provision of on-stand GSE, which reduces delays, has helped RHOs to meet their prescribed performance level. In 2019, baggage delivery performance has consistently surpassed 97% against an average daily output exceeding 127,000 bags. AAHK also provides continuous training for RHOs on all GSE enhancements, and engages them early in the planning of the scheme.

Phase 2 (Completed)
Phase 2 commenced in the apron area of Terminal 1 in April 2022, with the aim of acquiring more electric-powered critical GSE such as conveyor belt loaders and lower deck loaders. The total size of the GSE fleet owned by AAHK in Phases 1 and 2 has since been scaled up to more than 500.

Phase 3 (Ongoing)
Phase 3 of the GSE Pooling Scheme will be implemented at the planned Terminal 2 Concourse for the 3RS operation. Riding on the momentum of its previous phases, phase 3 targets all procured GSE to be powered by electric, and we are following e-ESG innovations closely as new models enter the market. We will also expand our EV network to meet the needs of the scheme as it enters Phase 3.