Stuttgart Airport wins the 2026 Eco-Innovation Award

juin 30, 2026

Stuttgart Airport has been named the winner of the 2026 Eco-Innovation Award, presented by ACI EUROPE in partnership with Airport Carbon Accreditation. The award recognises airports in Europe that demonstrate outstanding performance and an innovative approach to environmental management.

Stuttgart Airport received the award for implementing an all electric aircraft turnaround, an integrated approach that enables ground handling activities, including aircraft refuelling, to be carried out without local exhaust emissions. The project combines battery electric ground support equipment with smart charging infrastructure and the world’s first operational 40,000 litre fully electric refuelling truck developed in collaboration with industry partners and now in regular service.

The initiative has already delivered measurable impact. The use of more than one million litres of diesel is avoided each year through the electrification of apron operations, while emissions from the airport’s apron fleet have been reduced by almost 98% since 2013 through a combination of electrification and the use of HVO fuel. The project also demonstrates significant improvements in energy efficiency and provides a practical model that can be replicated by airports seeking to decarbonise their ground operations.

The all electric turnaround is part of Stuttgart Airport’s wider STRzero strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutral apron operations by 2030 and net zero airport controlled emissions by 2040.

The judges also awarded a « Highly Commended » distinction to iGA Istanbul Airport, recognising its decarbonisation efforts and, in particular, its 199.32 MW Eskişehir Solar Power Plant, through which the airport meets 100% of its electricity needs from solar energy.

Congratulations to both Stuttgart Airport and iGA Istanbul Airport for their achievements. Their projects demonstrate how innovation, investment and collaboration can translate climate ambition into practical solutions, helping shape a more sustainable future for airports and aviation.