Market Trends of Apron Bus Industry
Electric Segment is Expected to Show Significant Growth During the Forecast Period
The electric segment is anticipated to show significant growth in the market during the forecast period. The growth is due to the increasing number of air passengers and growing spending on enhancing airport infrastructure. Airports and airlines are striving to reduce their carbon footprint by adopting advanced technologies and systems.
Of the total emissions at airports, ground support vehicles, like tugs, tractors, and buses ferrying passengers between the terminals and the aircraft are also contributing significantly. Airlines and airports, to achieve carbon neutrality, are replacing aging diesel engine-powered buses with new electric buses. Electric buses offer advantages like ease of operation, low maintenance, and, most importantly, zero-emission.
Several airports across Europe were successful, over the past decade, in achieving or reducing their carbon footprint. As airports across the world are trying to reduce their global aviation emissions by about half over the next three decades, the electric bus segment will experience accelerated growth in the coming years.
The CORSIA CO2 offset and reduction scheme for international air transport aims to stabilize emission levels by requiring airlines to mitigate the future growth of emissions after 2020. During the period 2021-2035, and based on expected participation, the scheme is estimated to offset around 80% of the emissions above 2020 levels. Participation of states in the first phase is voluntary, and there are exceptions for those with low aviation activity. For instance, Aviator Airport Alliance AB set itself a goal of becoming net zero by 2030. The authority plans to incorporate sustainable fuel into operations and transition its Ground Support Equipment (GSE) fleet to electric power. The company can confidently accomplish this objective.
Europe to Dominate Market Share During the Forecast Period
Europe holds the highest shares in the market and continue its domination during the forecast period. The growth is due to the increasing number of airport construction projects and rising demand for new apron buses due to increased air traffic. Several airports in Europe, in order to reduce their carbon footprint, replaced their diesel or gas-powered apron buses with emission-free electric buses in the past few years.
Some of the European airports that operate apron buses are Munich, Pisa, Frankfurt, Madrid, London Luton, and Amsterdam Schiphol, among others. For instance, in September 2021, Bristol Airport (UK) ordered an electric airside bus in a bid to reduce airport operating emissions. The electric bus, capable of transporting up to 110 passengers and operating between the terminal building and an aircraft, is supplied by COBUS Industries GmbH (Germany). The fully electric vehicle includes state-of-the-art features to maximize safety and comfort. The airport will use the trial to study the operating benefits of the bus and compare it to its existing fleet. Similarly, in June 2023, the Go-Ahead Group invested USD 38 million in a hydrogen bus fleet and refueling station for services in and around London Gatwick Airport.
