New Infrastructure Supports the Electrification of Ground Handling Services at Ljubljana Airport

Fraport Slovenija has successfully completed the FS-e-FUTURE project, under which it installed key infrastructure to support the electrification and decarbonisation of ground handling services at Ljubljana Airport. The €2.34 million project, implemented between July 2024 and October 2026, was co-financed by the European Union.

As part of its strategic priority on climate protection, Fraport Slovenija is pursuing the goal of significantly reducing Ljubljana Airport’s carbon footprint by 2030 and achieving decarbonisation by 2045. One of the initiatives supporting this objective is the Fraport Slovenija for e-FUTURE (FS-e-FUTURE) project, through which key infrastructure for the electrification of ground handling services and the related reduction of emissions at Ljubljana Airport was established between July 2024 and October 2026.

As part of the project, a new transformer substation was built, five fixed and eight mobile electric ground power units (GPUs) for aircraft external power supply were installed, and a charging station with 37 charging points for electric vehicles and other ground support equipment was established. The new transformer substation provides the capacity required to supply electricity for charging electric vehicles and ground handling equipment. The ground power units supply aircraft with electrical power while parked at the airport, replacing diesel-powered generators.

The new infrastructure supports the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions associated with aircraft ground handling, contributes to more efficient energy use, reduces noise levels, and improves air quality. In addition, with the funding obtained through the FS-e-FUTURE project, Ljubljana Airport acquired the remaining equipment required to enable the complete ground handling of individual aircraft using electric-powered equipment.

"Ground handling, which encompasses a wide range of activities from supplying aircraft with power to serving passengers and handling baggage, is one of Fraport Slovenija’s core activities. By electrifying our equipment and establishing the necessary infrastructure, we are gradually reducing the environmental impact of these operations while creating the conditions for more efficient and quieter airport operations. It is also important to note that all electricity used by Fraport Slovenija comes from 100% renewable energy sources. This energy now also powers aircraft during ground handling. The FS-e-FUTURE project therefore represents an important step towards achieving our environmental objectives and our long-term goal of decarbonising Ljubljana Airport," highlighted Boštjan Šijanec, Director of Infrastructure and Human Resources at Fraport Slovenija.

The project represents a major investment of €2.34 million, of which €1.1 million was secured by Fraport Slovenija through the CEF Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility call for proposals, launched under the auspices of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

The FS-e-FUTURE project forms part of Fraport Slovenija’s broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency at Ljubljana Airport. The company pursues its environmental objectives through the use of electricity from renewable sources, the gradual electrification of vehicles and equipment, and other measures aimed at reducing environmental impacts.

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