Skytanking commissions two custom-made fully electrical hydrant fuel dispensers at Brussels Airport

Skytanking now operates its own custom-built electric high-flow hydrant fuel dispensers for fuelling operations at Brussels Airport. These electric dispensers, with a first-generation standard high-performance electrical chassis, were delivered on April 26 and are used to deliver aviation fuel from the underground hydrant system into the aircraft. These new electric fuel dispensers are a significant improvement for the local environment in terms of noise and exhaust gases. ​ 

The Stargate project, an EU Green Deal project led by Brussels Airport to implement innovative solutions to green the airport industry, is continuously researching new ways to further decarbonize ground handling activities. In 2022, Stargate-partner Skytanking started an intensive test period with two full electric hydrant fuel dispensers at Brussels Airport. These converted diesel to electrical driven, made-to-measure vehicles of Turkish Fuel Services were of Belgian design and were being tested to gain the necessary insights into the energy consumption in function of the aircraft model, average distance per movement at the airport, and weather conditions. 

After these successful tests at Brussels Airport, Skytanking developed, in cooperation with Atcomex BV and Fuso, the 100% electric hydrant fuel dispensers. These are built on an original electric chassis to allow for easy reproducibility on an international level while assuring the highest level of safety.

“These electric hydrant fuel dispensers are state-of-the-art and custom-made, adapted with the insights provided by the tests,” says Skytanking President Amir Ibrahim. “The new vehicles use at least two times less energy than the equipment tested last year, contributing actively to the reduction of CO2 emissions and noise, making them environmentally friendly and user-friendly, which is important for both, the local environment and for the ground handling staff.” 

“The goal of the Stargate project is to investigate new technologies and innovations that can make the entire European airport and aviation industry more sustainable,” says Sylvie Van den Eynde, Chief HR & Corporate Affairs Officer, Brussels Airport Company. “These innovative new vehicles are an important step in the decarbonization of all types of ground handling vehicles. The results of our Stargate-projects will allow for replications of the same principles and projects at other airports across Europe, even beyond the scope of the initial programme.” 

Skytanking is the first to operate this first generation of industrial lithium battery hydrant dispensers, able to handle high flow rates and made using a standard industrial chassis, on a European airport of this size. The aim is to deploy the dispensers to fuel 15 to 25 aircraft a day with one single charge per vehicle.

This project has received subsidies within the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme of the European Union in the context of subsidy agreement GA101037053.