Changi Airport’s heavy and specialised vehicles to trial use of renewable diesel

As part of a further move to lower the aviation industry's carbon footprint, trials on the use of renewable diesel for heavy and specialised airside vehicles will be conducted at Changi Airport.

- Esther Loi

Airside refers to the area of an airport where loading and unloading of aircraft, as well as takeoffs and landings, take place.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in a statement on May 13 that the trials expected to last one year - will be carried out with various parties, including airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG), ground handlers dnata and Sats, as well as aircraft maintenance provider Engineering SIA (SIAEC).

Company Ground handler dnata was the first among these firms to kick- start the trials through a sixmonth test on 12 of its ground support equipment starting from April 26, with the use of Esso Renewable Diesel R20, made with at least 20 per cent renewable content such as used cooking oil.

The equipment included aircraft pushback tractors and baggage transporters.

Renewable diesel is made from waste materials such as used cooking oil and animal fats.

Sats will be deploying four specialised and heavy vehicles in the tests, while CAG will be trialling seven airside vehicles. The Straits Times has contacted SIAEC on the number of its vehicles that will be involved in the trials.

The total number of vehicles taking part in the trial at Changi Airport is still being determined.