The project is funded with 4.401 million euros, with a total project cost of 14.670 million euros, and is anticipated to continue for a duration of 36 months.
SEA, the Milan airports management company, presented to the European Parliament eMAGO project, a significant milestone in the electrification process of the Milanese airports. This project receives financial support by CEF (Connecting Europe Facility), an EU funding programme managed by CINEA (the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency).
The airports of Milano Linate and Milano Malpensa, located where the Rhine-Alpine and Mediterranean TEN-T corridors intersect, are essential infrastructures for the economic development of the territory as well as gateways for domestic, European, and global tourism.
Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airports said: “SEA has long been investing in projects that expedite the transition to a more sustainable future for our industry – says – The airport industry is addressing the environmental transition in synergy with all aviation stakeholders. It’s a long and complex journey, but it’s in our DNA to seek solutions, lead the way by introducing innovative technologies to achieve the zero emissions goal.”
Paloma Aba Garrote, Director of CINEA, commnted: “Yesterday’s event shows that project eMAGO can contribute with tangible results to the decarbonisation of airports’ operations, and that airports such as Milan Linate and Malpensa can lead the green transition towards the airports’ of the future. Selected for a total funding of 4,4 million euros by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) under CEF, the eMAGO project is part of an ambitious “2030 Net Zero strategy for airports” and an essential milestone to reach the EU green Deal’s objectives.”
Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation, Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission saod: “Projects like the eMAGO are an important step in delivering our decarbonisation goals, as we need to create more zero-emission airports in line with our Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy ambitions. Measures that the European Commission incentivises in order to achieve this include the deployment of renewable and low-carbon fuels, feeding stationary aircraft with renewable power instead of fossil energy, and greening ground movements at airports.”
In line with a robust commitment to sustainability, SEA has been steering the management of Milan’s airports with a meticulous green strategy. Driven by concerns over climate change, the company has actively participated in the ACA, Airport Carbon Accreditation program for over a decade. This Airport Carbon Accreditation initiative, pioneered by Aci Europe to curtail CO2 emissions, has seen SEA achieve the highest level, 4+, at both airports. This accomplishment solidifies SEA’s unwavering dedication and leadership in the industry. As a result, SEA has taken the bold step to accelerate its timeline, pledging to achieve Net Zero by 2030.
Currently, there are eight ongoing projects aimed at fulfilling this commitment. Among them, eMAGO aligns with SEA’s decarbonization strategy, emphasizing zero emissions for ground operations and supporting the aviation industry’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The eMAGO project marks a significant step toward implementing sustainable and innovative solutions, focusing on two major approaches to provide power to parked aircraft and operational vehicles on the airport apron.
The implementation of 84 Aircraft Ground Power Units (AGPU) is planned, with 34 at Linate and 50 at Malpensa, to provide power to aircraft during ground operations, after landing and before takeoff. The activation of these units represents a significant step toward reducing environmental impact by eliminating the use of on-board generators (Auxiliary Power Unit-APUs) and ground generators powered by fossil fuels This leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions and other pollutants generated by airport operations. Thanks in part to these initiatives, Milan airports are expected to align with the mandate of the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation by 2027, which requires exclusively fixed electrical power for aircraft on the ground by 2030.
Furthermore, eMAGO includes the implementation of 94 electric charging stations, 31 at Linate and 63 at Malpensa, both airside and landside, to power all the airport vehicles. Additionally, there are 100 “Smart Power Sockets” planned, 20 at Linate and 80 at Malpensa, to power ramp and aircraft service vehicles (Ground Support Equipment – GSE).
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
