Mercedes-Benz Vans has delivered a fleet of 33 electric and low-emission vans to Swissport for use across 12 major UK airports, including Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham.
The vehicles have been supplied for airside operations and feature bespoke conversions designed to support time-critical ground handling tasks, including the transport of crews, maintenance equipment and international catering waste (ICW).
The fleet includes a mix of diesel Sprinter Crew Chassis models alongside eSprinter and eCitan electric vans, reflecting the varied missions carried out across Swissport’s UK airport network. All vehicles have been converted locally with multi-compartment box bodies and layouts tailored for airside use, allowing staff and equipment to move directly between terminals and aircraft.
According to Mercedes, the eSprinter models are being used primarily for maintenance tasks and staff movement, while the smaller eCitan supports day-to-day operational duties. Several Sprinter Crew Chassis vehicles have been fitted with purpose-built box bodies for transporting catering waste and cleaning crews.
The vehicles have been delivered across the following airport locations:
| London Heathrow | 7 | East Midlands | 2 |
| Manchester | 7 | Belfast | 2 |
| London Luton | 3 | Bristol | 1 |
| London Stansted | 3 | Glasgow | 1 |
| Birmingham | 3 | Cardiff | 1 |
| London Gatwick | 2 | Edinburgh | 1 |
Mercedes is also providing authorised aftersales support for the fleet, including maintenance and servicing, supported by integrated service plans and specialist equipment requirements for airside environments.
The project was supported by Ciceley Commercials
, which handled vehicle specification, conversion coordination and rollout across the airport network.
Swissport says the new vans form part of its wider sustainability programme, which aims to increase the proportion of electric ground support equipment globally over the coming decade. The company is also working with airport operators to expand airside charging infrastructure to support further electrification.
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