Kerry International Airport – Worlds First All-Electric Aircraft Refueller | Season 5 – Episode 11
Wheels Feb 07, 2025
Kerry International Airport is leading the way in reducing carbon emissions within the Irish aviation sector. It has become Ireland’s first airport to achieve a fully electric and carbon-neutral ground handling fleet. This includes the debut of the world’s first all-electric aircraft refueller, which launched in January 2023.
AVIATION GOES GREEN
The aviation sector in Ireland is at the forefront of transitioning to greener, more sustainable practices to mitigate climate change and promote environmental responsibility. This shift involves a range of initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, notably the adoption of zero-emission ground support vehicles, which offer not only lower carbon footprints but also reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
FARRANFORE AIRPORT
Located near the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park, Kerry International Airport at Farranfore has been expanding steadily since the late 1960s, handling 355,043 passengers in 2022.
Kerry Airport was founded as a public limited company in July 1968, with the goal of developing an airport at Farranfore, Co. Kerry. The first runway, measuring 1,090m x 23m, was completed in 1969, with Captain Milo Carr piloting the first landing on 25th August. Initially, the airport saw mainly private aircraft, parachute training and occasional cargo flights.
In 1979, the airport introduced its first scheduled service with an Aer Arann Islander aircraft. By 1989, the runway was extended to 1,200m x 30m, and terminal facilities were upgraded. Aer Lingus inaugurated scheduled flights from Dublin on May 22nd 1989, followed by Ryanair from London-Luton the next day.
A major expansion took place in 1993 with the construction of a new 2,000m x 45m runway and terminal. The runway was licensed on May 20th 1994, with the first commercial flight arriving that day. Today, Kerry Airport offers scheduled services to various domestic and European destinations.
TITAN-eRR20
Designed specifically for Farranfore Airport, the TITAN-eRR20 is the result of a collaboration between Titan Aviation (Dubai) and Electra Commercial Vehicles (UK). This innovative tanker is built on an Electra e-Star electric chassis incorporating a Mercedes-Benz Econic glider chassis and cab.
The Titan-eRR20’s advanced electric refuelling system can dispense over 110,000 litres of Jet A1 or SAF on a single charge, at flow rates of up to 2,500 LPM. Its onboard charger recharges the battery in about five hours. Additionally, the Titan-eRR20 is equipped with the EZ CONTROL digital refuelling interface, which guides operators through each step of the processes, simplifying maintenance and enhancing refuelling operational safety.
ELECTRIC FLEET
Farranfore Airport in Killarney, Co. Kerry operates a fully electric aircraft handling fleet, including EV pushback tractors, baggage handlers, fire and rescue 4x4s, ambulances, and executive passenger transport vehicles supplied by Holden Plant Hire (HPH).
The electric tanker at Farranfore is part of HPH’s ongoing contract with the state-owned daa, headquartered at Dublin Airport, to transition the operations of Dublin, Cork, and Shannon Airports to fully sustainable electric vehicle fleets.
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Sources of Information and Photo Credits
Electracommericalvehicles.com
Fleet.ie
Holden Plant Hire (HPH)
Holdenplantrentals.com
Kerry Convention Bureau
Kerryairport.ie
