Airport ground support vehicles are used for aircraft towing, ground power supply, fuel servicing, passenger transport, baggage handling, and aircraft maintenance. These vehicles and mobile equipment are collectively known as ground support equipment (GSE).
Based on their functions, apron service equipment can be divided into five main categories: aircraft towing and guidance, power and utility supply, passenger and cargo handling, cleaning and maintenance, and emergency response.
Aircraft towing and guidance vehicles
Aircraft tractors
Aircraft tractors are used to move aircraft on the ground, including pushback operations and towing between designated areas. They generally fall into two types: towbar tractors and towbarless tractors.
A towbar tractor connects to the aircraft nose landing gear through a separate towbar. A towbarless tractor uses a dedicated clamping mechanism to lift and hold the nose wheel, eliminating the need for a separate towbar. Both types must be selected according to aircraft weight, landing gear design, and towing requirements.
Follow-me vehicles
Follow-me vehicles guide aircraft along designated taxi routes within an airport. They are particularly useful when aircraft need guidance through complex taxiway layouts, in poor visibility, or when pilots are unfamiliar with the airport.
As an aircraft approaches its parking stand, ground marshallers or a visual docking guidance system may also be used to help position the aircraft accurately.
Power and utility supply vehicles
Ground power units
A ground power unit (GPU) supplies external electrical power to an aircraft while it is parked. This allows the aircraft to operate its electrical systems without relying on power generated by its engines or onboard auxiliary power equipment.
Air start units
An air start unit (ASU) supplies compressed air for starting aircraft engines. It is used on aircraft that require an external air supply for engine starting. Its function differs from that of a GPU, which provides electrical power rather than compressed air.
Aircraft air conditioning units
An aircraft air conditioning unit supplies temperature-controlled air to the passenger cabin while the aircraft is on the ground. The vehicle is usually connected to the aircraft through a large flexible duct and can provide cooling or heating as required.
Aircraft refuelling vehicles
Aircraft refuelling vehicles generally include hydrant dispensers and refueller trucks.
Hydrant dispensers deliver fuel to aircraft through an airport's underground fuel pipeline network and designated hydrant points. They are commonly used at airports equipped with centralized fuel distribution systems.
Refueller trucks carry fuel in onboard tanks and can perform refuelling operations independently of an underground hydrant connection. The choice between these systems depends on the airport's fuel supply infrastructure and operating requirements.
Passenger and cargo handling vehicles
Passenger stair trucks
Passenger stair trucks are equipped with hydraulically operated platforms and boarding stairs. They connect the ground to aircraft doors when aircraft are parked at remote stands or when passenger boarding bridges are unavailable.
Passenger shuttle buses
Passenger shuttle buses transport passengers between the terminal and aircraft parked at remote stands. Depending on airport operating requirements, suitably configured buses may also be used for these services.
Cargo loaders
Cargo loaders use hydraulically adjustable platforms to load and unload aircraft containers and pallets. The platform height can be adjusted to match the aircraft cargo hold, allowing ground staff to transfer unit load devices between the aircraft and ground handling equipment.
Baggage tractors and baggage carts
Baggage tractors tow multiple baggage carts between aircraft parking stands and airport sorting areas. They transport passenger baggage, air cargo, and mail, and can also be used to move other supplies within the ground handling area.
Some airports also use belt loaders to transfer loose baggage and cargo between ground level and aircraft cargo compartments.
Aircraft cleaning and maintenance vehicles
Lavatory service trucks
Lavatory service trucks remove wastewater from aircraft toilet tanks and transport it to designated airport waste treatment facilities. They are used to service the aircraft lavatory system between flights.
Potable water trucks
Potable water trucks replenish the aircraft's drinking water supply for use in the passenger cabin and galley.
Aircraft waste collection vehicles
Waste collection vehicles collect garbage generated in aircraft cabins and transport it to designated airport disposal areas. At some airports, waste collection is carried out as part of the cabin cleaning service.
Catering trucks
Catering trucks are fitted with lifting platforms that allow ground staff to deliver meals, beverages, and other supplies to the aircraft galley. They support catering operations and onboard supply replenishment between flights.
De-icing and emergency response vehicles
Aircraft de-icing trucks
Aircraft de-icing trucks remove frost, snow, and ice from aircraft wings, fuselages, and other critical surfaces. They are generally equipped with an elevated working platform and spraying equipment to apply de-icing fluid to designated areas.
These vehicles are mainly used at airports exposed to freezing temperatures, snowfall, or icy conditions. Their availability depends on local weather conditions and airport operating requirements, rather than simply whether an airport is located in northern or southern regions.
Aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles
Aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles (ARFF) respond to aircraft fires and other aviation emergencies. They are commonly equipped with water tanks, foam firefighting systems, and specialized discharge equipment. Depending on the vehicle design, additional extinguishing agents such as dry chemical powder or clean agents may also be carried.
The actual vehicle configuration and combination of extinguishing agents depend on the airport's rescue and firefighting requirements, airport category, and vehicle specifications.
Custom machining of airport ground support equipment components
Aircraft tractors, cargo loaders, baggage transport vehicles, and other airport ground support vehicles contain various structural components, mounting brackets, connecting parts, and equipment housings. For non-standard components, Hansheng Automation provides precision CNC machining and custom sheet metal fabrication according to customer-supplied drawings.
Our drawing-based manufacturing services also cover components for other industries, including yacht structural parts, radio-controlled racing car components, tobacco packaging machinery, and textile equipment. We manufacture custom parts according to the structural design and machining requirements of each application.
