Cologne Bonn Airport is advancing its sustainability efforts with the introduction of its first fully electric ground power units (e-GPUs), replacing outdated diesel-powered equipment. The airport has already integrated various electric vehicles, such as buses, passenger stairs, conveyor belts, and baggage tractors, into its operations. Now, with the arrival of ten new e-GPUs, the electrification of ground power systems has officially begun, with plans to add 15 more units within the next year.

A special event celebrated the launch, attended by key figures such as Stefan Schnorr, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, and Thilo Schmid, CEO of Stuttgart Airport, who officially welcomed the e-GPUs into the airport’s fleet.

The project is part of a broader green initiative, supported by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV), which has provided over 2 million euros in funding. The initiative is designed to promote climate-friendly technologies, marking a critical step in reducing carbon emissions and boosting environmental sustainability in aviation ground operations at Cologne Bonn Airport.

“The electrification of the apron is an important step on the way to a climate-neutral airport. By purchasing electric units, our airport is further reducing CO2,’ says Thilo Schmid, CEO of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. “By 2035 at the latest, all vehicles and equipment at Cologne Bonn Airport are to be fully equipped with CO2-neutral drives. We are pleased to receive the appropriate support,” says Schmid.

BMDV State Secretary Stefan Schnorr welcomes the progress towards a climate-neutral airport: ‘The German government is investing in the competitiveness of our airports. With environmentally friendly power generators, we are helping Cologne Bonn Airport to reduce CO2 emissions to zero, reduce noise levels by 20 decibels and improve the working environment for employees. Climate-neutral operations on the apron meet EU requirements. Promoting environmentally and climate-friendly ground power is a sustainable investment in a strong aviation sector in Germany.”

Until now, Cologne Bonn Airport has relied on conventional ground support equipment to power aircraft parked at positions that aren’t directly connected to passenger boarding bridges. Ground power units (GPUs) have provided electricity to aircraft when the onboard auxiliary power unit is switched off, helping to reduce noise, exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, and wear on the aircraft’s systems.

With the introduction of electric ground power units (e-GPUs), the airport is taking an even more significant step toward reducing its environmental impact. These new e-GPUs are quieter, emission-free, rechargeable, and specifically used at remote apron positions away from terminal buildings. The transition from traditional GPUs to electric variants has begun, and the airport plans to gradually roll out more units as part of its step-by-step transformation.

This move is part of Cologne Bonn Airport’s broader sustainable mobility strategy, which includes all forms of transportation and aims to expand e-charging infrastructure. Launched in 2022, the initiative focuses on optimizing the integration of different transport modes, promoting flexible, digital solutions, and offering a wide range of sustainable transport options.

For over a decade, climate protection has been a key focus for the airport, which aims to achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2045. Supporting this goal is the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV), which, through its ground power directive, is facilitating the shift from fossil fuels to climate-neutral power supplies for aircraft while on the ground.

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