Air France Continues to Rely on VOLK Hybrid Tow Tractors at London/Heathrow Airport

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	Air France continues to rely on VOLK Hybrid Tow

Tractors at London/Heathrow Airport

London, 15.10.2008 – Air France Services Ltd. (AFSL)
has recently opted again for VOLK Hybrid Tow Tractors. The company provides ground handling services at London/Heathrow Airport for a total of 14 airlines, in-
cluding Delta Airlines, Aeroflot, CSA Czech Airlines and the parent company Air France. Currently about 350 em-
ployees work for AFSL in London.

AFSL is still operating from Terminal 2, but in the course of the opening of the ultra-modern Terminal 5 and the associated consolidation of British Airways activities at this new location, AFSL is also affected by the complex relocation and reorganization processes which will give the airport a new face in the coming months. More than half of the approximately 90 airlines which offer flights to and from Heathrow will relocate their ground handling activities to a new terminal.

The goal of the British Airport Authority (BAA), the owner of the airport, is the consolidation of cooperating airlines through the assignment of the individual terminals to the




	With almost 70 million passengers, London/Heathrow is the largest hub in Europe and the third-largest airport in the world – Currently it is undergoing a complex relocation and reorganization process, which will give the airport a completely new face

large airline alliances („move under one roof“). This should aid among other things in shortening the transfer times for connecting flights. The airlines of the Star Alliance with Lufthansa and United Airlines will move to Terminal 1. Terminal 2, built in 1955, will be torn down to make space for the construction of the new Heathrow East Terminal, which should be opened in time for the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games. The members of One World – for ex-




	AFSL currently serves 14 airlines in London/Heathrow, among others the parent company Air France – In baggage handling, the company has relied on VOLK Hybrid Tow Tractors since 2005

example American Airlines and Cathay Pacific – will be located in Terminal 3. AFSL’s move to Terminal 4 – the future location of Skyteam, which includes Alitalia and Northwest Airlines in addition to Air France-KLM – is also planned.

The transition period presents great challenges for the ground handling agents. Since not all airlines are mov-
ing at the same time, there are spatial divergencies between the handling agents and the locations of the airlines they serve. Delta Airlines for example, which is served by AFSL, is already located in Terminal 4, while Air France, CSA and Aeroflot are still in Terminal 2.

Since this sometimes results in long travelling distan-
ces, hybrid tow tractors offer big advantages in this cur-
rent phase: They have – in contrast to electric tow trac-
tors – a practically unlimited range outside and can – in contrast to diesel tow tractors – also be driven emis-
sion-free into the baggage areas inside the building.

AFSL has been operating a fleet of eleven VOLK Hybrid Tow Tractors of the type HFZ 20 N since 2005. The positive experiences with these tractors led the company to opt for the purchase of 14 additional hybrid tractors this year.

The model HFZ 20 N distinguishes itself primarily due to its cost effectivensss and its excellent maneuverability.

The sturdy vehicle construction and the galvanizing of the complete vehicle frame are a real plus in the rough op-
erating conditions of a large international airport.

Above all AFSL values the modular set-up of the VOLK Hybrid Tow Tractors. This patented concept makes it possible to use the vehicle on the apron even during maintenance work on the diesel engine is being per-
formed. The resulting decoupling of maintenance and operating times guarantees an especially high vehicle availability. This is absolutely essential at an airport like London/ Heathrow, which has been running for years at 98 to 99 percent capacity and where the adherence to assigned slots thus has highest priority.




	AFSL is still stationed in Terminal 2 – The building dating from 1955 will soon be torn down, however, to make space for a new, larger terminal building

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