The selection process started in February 2024 to provide baggage handling, ramp handling for passenger aircraft, ramp handling for freighter aircraft, freight and mail transport, and catering transport.
In addition to usual selection criteria, sustainability played an important role with electrification requirements forming part of the airport’s broader goal to electrify all ground operations.
The goal to electrify all ground operations is supported by a grant from the European Commission under the BREEZE programme.
The baggage handling licences were awarded to Aviapartner Belgium and Alyzia, who were both also awarded ramp handling licences for passenger aircraft.
Aviapartner Cargo, dnata and Menzies Aviation have been awarded ramp handling licences for freighter aircraft, and freight and mail transport licences were awarded to Aviapartner Cargo, Alyzia and dnata.
Gate Gourmet Belgium was awarded a catering transport licence on 17 December 2024 and the selection process for a second supplier continues as no other candidate met the minimum requirements and there needs to be at least two licensed handlers in this category.
The proposals were assessed on compliance with current legislation and included sustainability requirements with a particular focus on fleet electrification.
The focus aligns with the airport’s new environmental permit, which stipulates that 80% of airside vehicles must be electrified or replaced with zero-emission alternatives by 2030.
Brussels Airport Company will assist service providers with the electric transition, having secured €7.2 million in funding from the European Commission for the BREEZE (Brussels Airport Electrification for Zero Emissions) programme.
By December 2027, the BREEZE programme aims to install over 300 charging stations using a decentralised approach to maximise energy efficiency and reduce unnecessary heavy vehicle movements.
The project will also cover supplying electricity to stationary aircraft.
The airport will reinforce the electrical grid to meet growing needs with new high-voltage cables and expand on-site electricity production.
This will include the installation of additional solar panels with the total of 5 MWp of capacity.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company, said: “With the BREEZE programme, Brussels Airport aims to strengthen its role as a pioneer in sustainability – a role already embraced through the EU Green Deal’s Stargate project – and speed up the decarbonisation of all airport operations. We play a crucial role in enabling ground handlers and airlines to electrify their fleet and airside vehicles and decarbonise their operations.”
