Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) and Freightquip today announced a partnership that will see WSI become the first Australian airport to operate an airport-wide GSE pooling programme. Commencing full operations in October 2026, WSI will have the highest proportion of electric ground support equipment of any airport nationally, establishing a new benchmark for airport ground operations.
Under the partnership, Freightquip will supply and operate a GSE fleet covering the complete scope of airside operations, including baggage handling, cargo loading and aircraft movement. The fleet is predominantly electric, covering key airside functions including belt loaders, cargo loaders, baggage tractors and pushback equipment. Fleet operations will be managed through a single digital platform providing real-time visibility, automated dispatch and full integration with WSI’s Flight Information System, supported by a dedicated Freightquip maintenance team on site.
A new standard for sustainable airport operations: GSE pooling
In airport operations, ground support equipment has traditionally been managed independently by each ground handler, resulting in duplicated assets, inconsistent standards and inefficient fleet utilisation across the apron. GSE pooling consolidates the entire ground equipment fleet into a single managed operation shared across all ground handlers, delivering a coordinated, efficient and sustainable ground operation from opening day.
No commercial airport in the nation has implemented this model before at this scale. For Australia’s aviation industry, WSI will serve as the reference site for airports seeking to modernise their ground operations, improve fleet utilisation and reduce the environmental impact of airside activity. Combined with its commitment to maximising electric equipment across the operation, WSI will open as the most advanced and sustainable major airport ground operation in Australia.
Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer, Western Sydney International Airport: “When we set out to design the ground operation at WSI, we knew we had an opportunity to do something that had never been done before, given our status as a greenfield international airport. GSE pooling was the right model for a new airport, and electrification was the right commitment for the industry. After an extensive global search, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Freightquip, which brings strong experience across the world’s leading airports and airlines. By combining GSE pooling with a predominantly electric fleet, WSI is modernising ground operations, improving fleet utilisation, safety, and ultimately reducing the environmental impact of our operations.”
Andrew Steel, COO and Head of Aviation Operations, Freightquip: “We have deployed and maintained electric GSE fleets across some of the world’s leading airports and airlines, and we are genuinely excited to bring that experience to WSI. This is a real opportunity to help set a new standard for how airports approach ground operations. To provide an advanced GSE pooling operation at a brand new airport is something our team is incredibly proud to be part of. We see WSI as the beginning of a much bigger shift in how the industry approaches ground operations globally.”
Freightquip is Australia and New Zealand’s leading supplier and integrator of ground support equipment, with operations certified to ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001. The company serves major airlines and metro and regional airports across Australia and New Zealand, including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and the Royal Australian Air Force.
