Hawaiian Airlines Advances Sustainability Efforts with Electric Honolulu GSE Fleet
- Joe Breitfeller
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Hawaiian Airlines has announced that they are electrifying their Honolulu ground service support (GSE) fleet, replacing 16 diesel and propane-powered vehicles with lithium battery-powered equipment.
On Monday (May 18, 2026), Alaska Air Group announced that Hawaiian Airlines is electrifying their Honolulu (HNL) ground support equipment (GSE) fleet, replacing 116 diesel and propane vehicles with lithium battery-powered equipment to reduce emissions, noise and fuel use. The transition will support sustainability and operations improvements, cutting greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing efficiency and working conditions for ramp employees. The new electrified equipment includes baggage tractors, belt loaders and aircraft pushback tractors. This transition is supported by new airport charging infrastructure in partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi’s Department of Transportation (HDOT), who installed 30 GSE charging stations (60 ports) at multiple locations across HNL to support electric ground operations. An additional four charging stations (eight ports) are under construction and expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2026.
In Monday’s announcement, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ Managing Director of Sustainability, Ryan Spies, said,
“Electrifying our ground support fleet in Honolulu, our second-largest hub, represents an important step in our long-term sustainability strategy. By investing in cleaner, quieter and more efficient equipment, we’re reducing our environmental impact, enabling safe and reliable operations, and improving the workplace for our teams and the travel experience for our guests. We extend a big mahalo to the state of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation for their partnership and investment in the GSE charging infrastructure at Honolulu’s airport.”
Also commenting on Hawaiian’s Honolulu GSE fleet transition, Hawaii’s Department of Transportation Director, Ed Sniffen, said,
“Hawaiian Airlines’ new fleet of electric ground support equipment represents an important contribution to our efforts to build long-term energy security for Hawai‘i. As part of this collaborative effort, HDOT is providing Hawaiian Airlines and other airline partners that have electric GSE with access to the charging stations at no cost for two years. As the state continues its ambitious $7 billion plans to modernize our airports, investments in our electric infrastructure coupled with Governor Green’s efforts to secure cleaner energy options for thermal generation, will help improve overall airport efficiency, reduce the cost of power and achieve Hawai‘i’s clean energy goals.”
Hawaiian Airlines' Honolulu Ground Support Team Celebrates the Transition To Electric GSE Equipment - Courtesy Alaska Air Group
Following extensive testing and team feedback, Hawaiian selected the Charlatte T137 bag tractor and CBL2000 belt loader, and the Kalmar TBL100 tow-bar-less pushback tractors. Charlatte engineers also modified the belt loader to enhance its versatility, allowing the units to support Hawaiian’s narrow-body and wide-body fleet, as well as other aircraft types. The new equipment also includes enhanced safety features, including a cab configuration designed to protect bag tractor operators from the sun, wind and rain. The belt loaders also have an advanced, sensor-guided aircraft approach system.
Hawaiian Airlines’ investment in lithium battery-powered GSE will now represent 73 percent of their HNL fleet, eliminating fossil fuel consumption, fumes and spills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also lower maintenance costs and engine noise while increasing efficiency and creating a better working environment for hundreds of ramp workers at HNL who move over 8,500 checked bags, supporting around 180 arrivals and departures daily.
Source: Alaska Air Group
