New Electric Ground Support Fleet to Revolutionize Operations at JFK Terminal 6
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with JFK Millennium Partners, has announced plans for a new common use, all-electric ground support fleet at JFK International’s Terminal 6 (T6). This innovative project, managed and operated by Fortbrand Services, aims to eliminate approximately 2,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually – the equivalent of driving a petrol-powered car six million miles. The reduction in emissions will be achieved through the switch from diesel-powered equipment to electric and the greater efficiencies of common-use equipment.
Currently, airlines operating in the US contract individual ground-handling companies which leads to duplicate equipment, inefficiencies, airside congestion, and unnecessary emissions. However, at the new T6, each of the terminal’s 10 gates will have its own set of electric ground support equipment, which will be shared by ground handlers operating at the terminal in a common-use setup. This will significantly reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency.
Fortbrand and JFK Millennium Partners will monitor and track the equipment in real-time, ensuring operational compliance and maximizing safety and efficiency. A combination of on-site and remote charging stations will ensure the equipment is always fully charged. Additionally, innovative telematics software will provide real-time information on the equipment’s GPS location, battery life, authorized drivers, speed controls, maintenance reporting, and more.
Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority, stated, “The Port Authority’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 includes a transition to the use of all commercially available zero-emission ground support equipment at the region’s airports. The agreement between JFK Millennium Partners and Fortbrand to serve Terminal 6 with shared electric ground support equipment represents an exciting step toward reaching our goal.
JFK Millennium Partners CEO, Steve Thody, added, “We are thrilled to debut this innovative shared electric ground services program, which will not only revolutionize the way ground handling is done at JFK airport, but at other airports across the country as well.
Fortbrand CEO, Jared Verano, also commented, “Fortbrand was founded over 40 years ago to support New York’s airports, so we are excited to partner with JMP to provide JFK T6 with essential equipment, maintenance, and fleet management services for this innovative operation.
The T6 project also includes other sustainability features such as high-efficiency building systems, the installation of over 4,000 solar panels for renewable energy production, stormwater capture and reuse, and a 90% waste diversion rate through recycling of asphalt, concrete, steel, and other materials during terminal construction and operation. These features align with JMP’s goal of achieving LEED and Envision Gold certifications for T6, a valuable standard for sustainable infrastructure projects.
This project supports the Port Authority’s net-zero roadmap, which outlines comprehensive actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions agency-wide by 2050 and improve air quality at JFK.