AAAE's ACT Hosts Airport Electrification Showcase at Boeing Field

Nearly 40 people attended an airport electrification showcase at King County International/Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle, organized by AAAE’s Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT).

During an outdoor equipment showcase, attendees were able to see up-close BFI’s Oshkosh Striker Volterra hybrid electric fire engine, the first one delivered in the world, as well as the airport’s battery-electric runway sweeper. The airport was the first in the nation to purchase and deploy the sweeper.
 
Other vehicles on display included fully electric Ford F-150 Lightning vehicles used by the BFI airport operations department, a King County electric commuter bus and an electric fueling vehicle from Modern Aviation. At all of the equipment operators were on hand to answer questions.

Seeing the equipment up close was a pivotal moment for attendees, including several airport directors. “There is always a little fear factor when you convert vehicles to new technology,” said Eugene Airport Director Cathryn Stephens, A.A.E. “To see the successful implementation at Boeing Field, you can feel more comfortable about going back to your organization and saying, ‘We are more comfortable in trying this new technology.’”

Attendees also toured UPS's operations at Boeing Field. In 2019, the cargo giant opened a $120 million expansion project including an approximately 45,000 square foot concrete tilt-up main sorting facility, lowering emissions by significantly reducing the number of tugs and tractors used in loading their aircraft. Boeing Field is the only airfield that UPS operates from in the Seattle area.

Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Director Ann Richart, A.A.E., said in her state the next generation of aviation is laser focused on resilience, substantiality and technology.

“Boeing Field is a leader in advanced aviation technology and we love showing it off,” she said, explaining real-world examples such as what is happening at Boeing Field are examples that can be brought to the Washington State Legislature for funding opportunities and more.

She noted the power of the ACT program in bringing together leaders to see innovative ideas in action. “AAAE was very thoughtful in recognizing the need for ACT and it continues to grow,” she explained. “Just over the last five years, I’ve seen discussions about electric and aviation go from, ‘That’s science fiction to that’s happening at my airport.’”