To kick-off Earth Month, Air Canada has announced its ground operations at Quebec City Jean Lesage international Airport (YQB) will achieve 100% electrification GSE fleet across all its main categories by 2025.

Quebec City will become the airline’s first station in Canada to achieve this, eliminating Air Canada’s use of fossil fuel equipment in a complete transition for all baggage and ramp tractors, belt loaders, power stows, container loaders, and aircraft tractors.

The plan is a step forward toward Air Canada’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emission by 2050, with mid-term targets of 30% GHG reductions from ground operations, and 20% from its air operations.

Over the last years, Air Canada has been retiring and replacing older fossil-file powered ground equipment across Canada with more electric ground equipment. It now has more than 900 pieces of eGSE equipment, representing 35% of the GSE fleet across all categories.

Its ground fleet includes proved electric alternatives that help operational efficiency and emissions reductions.

The new eGSEs are designed to reduce direct emissions compared to internal combustion engine GSEs, and are expected to lower maintenance and spare part costs, eliminate direct fuel costs, and contribute to cost savings for the airline.

Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive at Air Canada, said: “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 electric GSE (eGSE) fleet powered by Québec’s renewable energy grid.

“We are committed to a coordinated approach for this long-term energy transition as we operate within an ecosystem of manufacturers, suppliers, airports, and governments, all of whom play an integral part in this important initiative.”

Stéphane Poirier, president and chief executive of YQB, 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.”

Mayor of Québec City, Burno Marchand, also commented: “Québec City is delighted with this initiative, which makes our airport the first Air Canada station in the country to electrify its main ground support equipment. This transition testifies to the commitment of our institutions and companies to innovate while taking into account current and future energy concerns.”