JetBlue Introduces the Largest Electric Ground Service Equipment (eGSE) Fleet at New York’s JFK International Airport, Cutt...
September 26 2019 - 12:03PM
Business Wire
-- Committed to Long-Term Sustainable Energy
Solutions and Operational Efficiency, Conversion will Save JetBlue
More Than $500,000 in Ground Fuel Costs per Year --
-- $4 Million FAA VALE Grant Jointly Secured by
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JetBlue Helps Fund
Electric Charging Infrastructure --
JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York’s Hometown Airline®, today
announced that the airline is converting its fleet of baggage
tractors and belt loaders – the largest part of its ground service
equipment fleet at New York’s JFK International Airport – to
electric powered. With support from the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), JetBlue is
rolling out the largest fleet of electric ground service equipment
(eGSE) of any airline at JFK.
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JetBlue introduces the largest electric
ground service equipment (eGSE) fleet at New York’s JFK
International Airport, cutting four million pounds of greenhouse
gas emissions per year. (Photo: Business Wire)
JetBlue is constantly looking for more efficient technologies
and sustainable fuel options. Electric bag tugs and belt loaders
will replace the previous vehicles which were powered by gasoline.
The new eGSE equipment will help reduce noise, improve energy
efficiency and lessen JetBlue’s environmental footprint.
By converting to eGSE, additional benefits for JetBlue will
include:
- Cutting four million pounds of CO2 greenhouse gas emission
(1,700 metric tons) per year – the equivalent of the amount of CO2
absorbed by 2,100 acres of U.S. forests
- Reducing ground fuel usage by approx. 200,000 gallons of ground
fuel a year
- Improving its bottom line with more than $500,000 in ground
fuel savings annually
“Converting our ground service equipment to electric will not
only help reduce our emissions, it will help with operational
efficiencies including safer and quieter equipment for our ground
operations crewmembers,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and
chief operating officer, JetBlue. “JetBlue has set ambitious
goals to manage our CO₂ emissions below the wing by transitioning
our ground service equipment to electric power sources where
feasible. This is one part of our overall efforts which primarily
focuses on reducing our emissions from flying.”
JetBlue purchased and wholly owns the vehicles. Immediate gains
from this conversion include zero tailpipe emissions which will
reduce carbon monoxide, ozone precursors and particulate matter.
The electric equipment brings additional safety features including
a new aircraft detection system to reduce aircraft damage. With
this conversion more than 40% of JetBlue’s motorized vehicles at
JFK are now electric.
To charge the new eGSE fleet of 59 electric bag tugs and 59
electric belt loaders, JetBlue has phased in 38 charging hubs—with
118 charging ports—across all gates of Terminal 5 (T5). Support for
the charging stations was provided by the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey through a $4 million Voluntary Airport Low
Emissions Program (VALE) grant, the first awarded to the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey from the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). The grant accounts for 75 percent of the
total cost of the charging stations. JetBlue provided a significant
portion of the remaining cost for the charging stations with NYPA
contributing an additional grant.
VALE grants are awarded to airports to help improve air quality
and provides air quality credits for future development. Created in
2004, VALE helps airport sponsors meet their state-related air
quality responsibilities under the Clean Air Act. VALE grants are
expected to reduce ozone emissions by 1,192 tons per year over the
next five years. This is equivalent to removing 66,550 cars and
trucks off the road each year.
Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY
and NJ, said, “The installation of 38 fast-charging hubs will
not only contribute to improved air quality across the region, but
it will also bring modern and advanced technological solutions to
JFK Airport. We’re grateful for NYPA’s and JetBlue’s partnership as
we continue to make remarkable progress in reducing our carbon
footprint.”
Aligned with JetBlue’s efforts for long-term energy solutions,
NYPA partnered with the airline and the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey by providing additional funding for the charging
stations.
“NYPA is proud to partner with the Port Authority and JetBlue on
this exciting initiative to fully electrify JetBlue’s terminal at
JFK International Airport,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA
president and CEO. NYPA, under the leadership of Governor
Cuomo, is committed to transitioning New York State into a clean
energy economy and this public-private initiative at one of the
world’s busiest airports is a significant step toward realizing
that goal.”
What’s next for eGSE? JetBlue has long been operating
eGSE equipment in its ground operations in Long Beach, Calif. The
airline is now setting its sights on its other focus cities to make
the switch for enhanced operational efficiency. Next, a significant
fleet of eGSE is expected to t be introduced in Boston with
construction and the installation of equipment slated for 2020.
Commitment to the Environment – With an aviation
industry-wide goal to cap net greenhouse gas growth from 2020
onward, JetBlue remains committed to more efficient and
environmentally responsible processes and technologies including
using less fuel which saves money, strengthens the bottom line and
reduces the airline’s impact on the environment – protecting the
natural places customers want to visit. JetBlue continues to
explore ways to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions exposure,
including a focus on renewable jet fuel as a long-term business
strategy. Investments in renewable energy sources are key to a
lower carbon future which will take time and industry cooperation
to come to fruition.
The airline focuses on issues that have the potential to impact
its business. Customers, crewmembers and community are key to
JetBlue's sustainability strategy. Demand from these groups for
responsible service is one of the motivations behind changes that
help reduce the airline’s environmental impact. For more
information visit www.jetblue.com/sustainability.
JetBlue’s state-of-the-art terminal at New York’s JFK
airport
With a significant presence at JFK and its home in Long Island
City, JetBlue is the only major commercial airline based in New
York City and New York State. T5 is the newest terminal at JFK and
focuses on delivering the award-winning JetBlue experience.
JetBlue’s T5 was designed to complement the historic Eero Saarinen
building (now the TWA Hotel) across the walkway. All JetBlue
flights departing from JFK Airport operate from the contemporary
terminal, which is also home to partner airlines – Aer Lingus, Cape
Air, Hawaiian Airlines and TAP Portugal.
About JetBlue
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier
in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach),
Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 42 million
customers a year to 100+ cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin
America with an average of more than 1,000 daily flights. For more
information please visit jetblue.com.
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JetBlue Corporate Communications Tel: +1 718 709 3089
corpcomm@jetblue.com
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