ONT to expand electric ground support infrastructure

Ontario International Airport has secured nearly $4.15 million in FAA funding to expand electric ground support equipment charging infrastructure, supporting cleaner, more efficient operations as the airport continues to grow.

Summary:

Ontario International Airport (ONT) has secured nearly $4.15 million in FAA funding to expand electric ground support equipment charging infrastructure.
The Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant will fund 75% of a $5.53 million project at Terminals 2 and 4, supporting cleaner and more efficient airport operations.
ONT’s latest award is its third and largest VALE grant in three years, building on previous investments in ground power units and pre-conditioned air systems.

Ontario International Airport (ONT) – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – has been awarded nearly $4.15 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand its clean-energy infrastructure, marking the airport’s third – and largest – federal Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant in as many years.

The grant will cover 75% of the $5.53 million cost of installing electric ground support equipment (eGSE) charging infrastructure at Terminals 2 and 4. The project will support the growing use of electric-powered equipment used by airlines and other airport partners to service aircraft on the ground, reducing reliance on conventional fuel-powered equipment and associated emissions.

“This latest investment by the FAA is a tremendous vote of confidence in the work we are doing to build a more sustainable Ontario International Airport,” said Atif Elkadi, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “Three VALE grants in three years represents meaningful progress, and this latest award will allow us and our airline partners to continue reducing emissions while investing in the infrastructure ONT will need for the future.”

The FAA’s VALE programme helps commercial service airports meet their air-quality responsibilities by funding eligible projects that reduce airport emissions. ONT’s latest award follows previous VALE grants supporting the airport’s ground power unit (GPU) and pre-conditioned air (PCAir) projects. Together, those investments are helping reduce the need for aircraft and ground equipment to burn fuel while parked at the terminal, supporting cleaner and more efficient airport operations.

The latest grant represents the federal government’s full 75% eligible share of the eGSE charger project. A competitive procurement process also resulted in a successful bid significantly below the airport’s original project estimate, further reducing the local financial commitment required to complete the improvements.

“This is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that allows us to make significant infrastructure improvements while being responsible stewards of airport resources,” said Elkadi. “We are grateful to the FAA for its continued partnership and to the many members of our team, consultants and airline partners who worked together to secure this funding.”

The eGSE project is part of a broader sustainability effort at ONT that includes investments in low- and zero-emission vehicles, energy-efficient infrastructure and other initiatives designed to reduce the airport’s environmental footprint as it continues to grow.