March 2020 was a difficult time to launch a new product, especially in the aviation industry. This was when Sovam introduced its range of European baggage tractors, but now that the worst of the pandemic is over, demand is strong and it is 100% electric, according to Product Manager Ambre Bernela.
“The demand has been better in 2022 than in 2020 and 2021 but it is still a bit slow in Europe, as we do not provide any electric tugs. Nevertheless, in other parts of the world, the demand is getting back on track, so fingers crossed!” said Bernela.
Baggage tractors were not the priority during the pandemic, she said, and Sovam focused on developing other products such as electrical passenger steps and electro-retrofitting maintenance platforms, which was a new activity.
“We are still wondering if developing an electric baggage tug would be a clever move as so many GSE colleagues have been developing that kind of equipment for several years now,” she said.
How the market will develop is still unclear. Bernela said: “We are just emerging from the pandemic and many questions remain unanswered at the moment, but electric equipment will be expanding for sure.”
Demand recovers
When the pandemic struck, demand for baggage tractors dropped dramatically, said Haldun Aksoy, Chairman of the Board of Timsan. Since then, demand for baggage tractors and other Timsan products has picked up, both domestically and internationally. Demand for the first half of this year was twice as high as last year and is predicted to stay strong throughout the year.
The pandemic was a time for improving existing products with engine upgrades and redesigning instrument panels to display more information.
Aksoy said: “Thanks to the new display, the traditional gauges are removed to save more space for driver. A new designed PLC system is adopted to the electric system to remove some electrical components to reduce main electric dashboard size and also workmanship during assembly.”
Customers are asking for electric options, including those already using diesel baggage tractors from Timsan.
Aksoy said: “Having a very wide customer portfolio all over the world, diesel baggage tractor demand is still hot and we are hoping to get many diesel baggage tractor orders over the next four to five years.”
Timsan will continue to listen to its customers, using their suggestions to improve its products. Autonomous vehicles is an area of interest.
“Some of our competitors have started to design and improve their current products. So we are planning to enter this area in near future,” he added.
Innovation
As services are ramped up post-pandemic, demand is high for baggage tractors, with the MA and M1A models from Textron GSE proving popular, said Vice President and General Manager, Matt Chaffin.
“Customers need tractors that can support the growing demands of their operations and TUG baggage and cargo tractors are known for their reliability, durability and safe performance. It’s a trend we expect to continue through 2023 and beyond,” he said.
Branded a high polluting industry, aviation is working hard to decarbonise operations, and the ramp is an area that can make a large contribution to sustainability.
Electric vehicles are an increasingly common sight at airports, and Textron GSE is working with General Motors and PCS to electrify its range, developing lithium products designed from the ground up specifically for ground support operations.
Chaffin said: “Together they have developed lithium technology that we are excited about. At the GSE Expo Europe in Paris, Textron GSE will debut its new TUG baggage tractor and a TUG lithium repower kit to customers, showcasing the benefits of this automotive lithium technology.”
Existing products will be electrified and new products will be built as electric vehicles from the ground up.
He said: “As demonstrated by the TUG ALPHA 1, Textron GSE infuses customer feedback into its new products, ensuring the equipment developed has the right portfolio of features designed to enhance operations with greater reliability, superior durability and unmatched safety.”
Though customers are increasingly buying lithium electric powered equipment and infrastructure at airports is being upgraded to cater for it, there are areas of the world where it is still not viable, so there is still demand for gas and diesel-powered baggage tractors.
Textron GSE will continue supporting customers in those regions until sustainable options are viable.
Chaffin said, “Textron GSE also has products that are built to allow interchangeable powertrains, such as the TUG ALPHA 1. This means if they purchase a gas or diesel product today because they cannot accommodate lithium products yet, they could switch to a lithium powertrain in the future.”
2022 will be a year when Textron introduces several products using lithium technology. They will offer superior manoeuvrability, towing capacity, built-in safety, enhanced visibility, and upgraded components.
“These new products will generate efficiencies such as rapid charging, opportunity charging, remote diagnostics, ease of maintenance, parts commonality, and integrated safety elements like battery management systems,” he said.
Electric equipment is the future, said Chaffin, as they outperform expectations for the ground support industry, which will increase interest and adoption by customers.
Chaffin said: “Many customers understand that their sustainability initiatives can be achieved faster by purchasing equipment from companies who offer electric solutions.”
