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Atlantic Aviation has further advanced Aspen/Pitkin County Airport’s (ASE) position at the forefront of sustainability and customer experience with the successful transition of nearly all of its ramp service vehicles to electric power.

As part of its industry-leading commitment to sustainability, Atlantic Aviation has begun using battery-powered ground power units (GPUs) at ASE, which not only eliminate noise, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the airport by some 180 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. In addition, Atlantic has put some of the industry’s first all-electric fuel trucks – which were unveiled at the National Business Aviation Association Schedulers & Dispatcher’s Conference earlier this year – into service on their Aspen ramp. 

The 10 new all-electric GPUs mark the largest investment in these state-of-the art units by any FBO provider in the nation. They, along with the new all-electric fuel trucks, join the company’s fleet of electric tugs, carts, and hybrid crew vehicles servicing customers and their aircraft at ASE and are contributing to a new standard for sustainable operations. Through these efforts, Atlantic has transitioned ~80% of its ground fleet at ASE to low or zero-emissions vehicles.

“Our efforts in Aspen are a key part of a cohesive strategy to raise the bar on what we as a company and as an industry can do to minimize business aviation’s impact on the environment,” said Brian Corbett, Chief Commercial & Sustainability Officer at Atlantic Aviation. “We realize ramp service vehicles and equipment are a significant source of carbon emissions and noise, both on the ramp and for our neighbors,” he continued. “Our long-term investment in battery-power, combined with promoting cooperative ‘park quiet’ programs provide our guests and members of the community with even greater enjoyment of the incredible beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley. Our work at ASE sets a high standard for sustainability and noise reduction which we will be able to replicate at other locations across our network.”

The new all-electric GPUs and fuel trucks are just the latest in Atlantic’s meaningful efforts to reduce business aviation’s environmental impact on the Aspen community. The company has been using all-electric tugs there since 2007 and in 2018 converted its entire facility to LED lighting. In 2020, Atlantic began purchasing verified, additionality-focused carbon offsets for all fuel pumped at ASE – including fuel sold to commercial airlines – at no additional cost to customers.

On Earth Day in 2021, Atlantic began pumping sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Aspen, making it the second airport in Colorado with continuous availability of SAF. To-date, the company has provided enough SAF to the state (via renewable diesel to maintain sustainable attributes) to meet all customer requests. In addition, Atlantic Aviation’s Aspen location is certified as a Tier 3 Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses by the National Air Transportation Association, the organization’s highest level of sustainability certification.