Quantcast

WFS begins HVO biofuel trial for airside transport at Heathrow

WFS begins HVO biofuel trial for airside transport at Heathrow
Research
Webp 8t3zoasbyvom7qhqjytuz9v5thog
Brandon Williamson Vice President Market Leader of Infrastructure/Aviation Group | AviationPros

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has initiated a three-month trial using HVO biofuel in its airside transport fleet at London’s Heathrow Airport. This initiative aligns with SATS’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities and Heathrow’s goal for all airport vehicles to be zero-emission or use biofuels by 2030.

The trial, which began on July 1, 2024, initially involves two of WFS’s airside transport vehicles. Based on the success of the trial, WFS plans to expand the use of biofuel across its fleet of 77 airside vehicles. These vehicles perform approximately 130,000 truck movements annually at Heathrow in support of 10 airline customers.

Airport Energy, part of WP Group, is supplying the biofuel for this trial.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

WFS has already transitioned its airside vans from diesel to a fully electric fleet as part of Heathrow Airport’s sustainability strategy ‘Heathrow 2.0’ and WFS’s own sustainability initiatives. The airside fleet also meets the Euro 6 environmental standard, which limits harmful exhaust emissions and improves local air quality.

“This trial will help us determine if biofuel is suitable for our operation and, if it is, we will move more vehicles over to HVO (hydrotreated or hydrogenated vegetable oil) over the next 12 months,” said Paul Carmody, WFS’ Managing Director UK Cargo. “As part of our close working relationship with Heathrow, we are committed to supporting the airport’s sustainability goals, and the use of cleaner biofuels is just one of the ways we aim to do this.”

James Golding, Head of Cargo at Heathrow Airport, stated: “Heathrow is committed to decarbonisation, and as part of our Heathrow 2.0 sustainability strategy and cargo strategy the end goal is for all airside vehicles to be zero emissions. Biofuels play an incredibly important role in this journey, so we support WFS’ biofuel trials across their diesel trucks, which will help reduce lifecycle carbon emissions at Heathrow, benefiting both people and planet.”

In addition to this latest biofuel trial, WFS has begun a transport fleet renewal and upgrade program to meet new environmental standards. The company is also preparing to trial an electric truck in its Heathrow transport operation and is promoting environmentally friendly driving standards by enhancing training support and assessment for its driving team.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Star Alliance has been named the World's Best Airline Alliance at the 2025 Skytrax Awards.

Jul 12, 2025

SAS and Air France have applied for a codeshare network covering ten U.S. destinations, including New York's JFK and Los Angeles' LAX.

Jul 12, 2025

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has released its June 2025 On-Time Performance (OTP) report, which analyzes global punctuality trends among airlines and airports.

Jul 12, 2025

United Airlines is set to resume flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on July 21, 2025.

Jul 12, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport experienced significant growth in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers.

Jul 12, 2025

Emirates' fleet currently includes 253 widebody aircraft, with the addition of eight Airbus A350-900s.

Jul 12, 2025