Stinar
The Growing Need for Accessibility in Air Travel
By 2030, one in six individuals globally will be aged 60 or older. By 2050, this number is expected to double.
In a joint project by WU Vienna and consulting firm intior on the medical lift (ambulift) market, it was found that passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) are among the fastest-growing passenger segments globally, with annual growth rates of 6-8%. This equates to one or more PRM per flight.
“In consequence, we value the global market for medical lifts on airports at €1.5 billion, with additional annual sales of €100 million expected [per year], equating to almost 300 vehicles annually,” said Puck Jonas, author of the study entitled ‘Exploring the Medical Lift Market for Passengers with Reduced Mobility’.
“Ageing populations, rising levels of long-term disabilities, increasing confidence among PRM travellers, and global political pressure further fuel the demand for inclusive travel experiences. In summary, we expect further market growth in the coming years. Different solutions exist to address this market – our analysis indicates that side lift and telescope lift solutions exhibit the highest potential to lead the market, driven by efficiency gains and optimisation efforts. Interestingly, offers in this segment are currently rather limited, in consequence we expect further investment and innovation in the future.”
Market overview
Among the leading GSE manufacturers named in the report include BULMOR, Timsan, Stinar, Aviogei Airport Equipment, DENGE, Miles GSE, Mallaghan, and Nandan GSE. GHI spoke to some OEMs to find out how their solutions are making a difference to PRMs and how demand for vehicles has risen compared to previous years.
BULMOR say its sales figures in 2023 were significantly higher than in 2022. “After tough years during pandemic, the aviation sector has fully recovered. Most international airports see higher PRM passenger numbers than before the pandemic. We therefore see an increase in demand for ambulift vehicles,” said Konrad Gruber, Head of Sales BULMOR Airground.
Likewise, Timsan reports the PRM business is performing very well this year compared to 2023. “We have seen steady growth in demand and expanded our presence in the market through strategic partnerships and product innovations,” said Haldun Aksoy, Chairman of the Board at Timsan.
“There was a significant increase in sales of PRM units last year compared to 2022. PRM sales of about 1 million euros in 2022 doubled in 2023 and this year, we managed to exceed 2023 figures in the first quarter of 2024.”
Stinar says it has also has experienced a rise in demand “positioning itself to be able to accommodate alternative or EV units while still using an OEM chassis or towable unit”.
“The adoption of our DPT-512 has been good, we have several units that will be shipping out mid-year.
Electrification is still a key part yes, although a small percentage,” said Craig Kruckeberg, CEO of Stinar, before adding: “We are still on the path to producing the best GSE out there, all while striving for continuous improvement and carrying out our never-ending pursuit of innovation.”
At BULMOR electrification is vital to its business. In the past two years, more than 80% of the inquiries have been for electric ambulifts and it is expected to most likely increase in the future. “We have been electrifying our entire ambulift product range over the past seven years from the small compact FrontBull for regional airports up to our A380UD version, all our PRM lift trucks are available fully electrical powered. We in the meantime see a higher request for electric vehicles than diesel powered trucks. More than 80% of all our ambulifts sold were electric, only a few airports still prefer diesel powered units,” said Gruber.
Electrification is also a key focus for Timsan, aligning with broader industry trends towards sustainability and energy efficiency.
“Timsan is actively working to electrify PRM units to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. Timsan designed its first electric ambulift, EAV4500, in 2010 and manufactured two units, selling one to the Middle East and one to the South American market. In recent years, the electric ambulance EAV5800, which serves widebody aircraft, has been designed and started to be manufactured. The demand for electric equipment is increasing compared to previous years due to both environmental concerns and legislative changes,” said Aksoy.
R&D Developments
Timsan says it constantly invests in R&D to promote innovation and improve its products.
“We always try to develop new technologies and improve existing units to better serve our customers’ needs. We developed solar panel stairs to increase the price and performance balance in hot countries and to offer our customers low-cost, long-lasting products. We aim to implement this alternative energy to all applicable products,” he explained.
BULMOR says it is constantly working on new developments and features to improve safety, handling speed, and passenger comfort during the disembarking and boarding process.
“One of our main innovations of our E-Sidebull is a fully automatic platform angle adjustment system. Besides the ability of not needing stabilizers and due [to the] SideBull docking assistance system, SideBull ambulifts are docked and perfectly aligned with the aircraft fuselage in just 25 seconds.
“All our trucks have the unique ability to lower the passenger cabin fully on ground level to ensure safe and fast disembarking – not only for elderly people and wheelchair users but also for medical patients on stretchers.
“We are furthermore currently working on electric ambulifts with larger 1680Ah battery packages for fulfilling the longer autonomy request of larger busier airports,” said Gruber.
Stinar is working on the development of a new PRM unit which focuses on FBOs worldwide. “We are confident in our current commercial option and are excited to bring this new product line to the private sector, there’s more to come in 2024,” said Kruckeberg.
“The adoption of our DPT-512 has been good, we have several units that will be shipping out mid-year”
Craig Kruckeberg, Stinar
Challenges
For Timsan, one of the most important difficulties is long lead times. “Then there are regulatory changes affecting emission standards, fluctuations in the price of raw materials, and the need to constantly innovate to stay one step ahead of the competition,” said Aksoy.
Kruckeberg said: “Infrastructure, information, and customer service by the airlines to help accommodate passengers with reduced mobility. We are in pursuit to build and develop tools that will help them overcome some of these hurdles.”
PRM boarding is a bottle neck process says someone at BULMOR. “Short turnaround times of low fare airlines of only 25 minutes are a big challenge. Compared to other GSE, ambulifts are not taking part at every aircraft ground handling process. They are the very last vehicles, docking to the aircraft at remote stand handling. Aircraft doors which should be used for PRM boarding are often blocked by other ground handling parties and their equipment. Any kind of interruptions in the boarding process leads to an aircraft delay – even though it is often not the preliminary fault of the PRM assistance provider, the most often delay code PW19 is used, causing discussions with the airlines. A fast and safe docking procedure without the need of lowering stabilisers is key [to] ensure short turnaround times and avoid aircraft delays,” said Gruber.
Looking Ahead
“Our main focus of this and next year will be changing of the fleets of existing diesel SideBull vehicles to fully electric trucks. A lot of airlines have returned with their A380s. We are currently seeing a high request for re-training of driver[s] for A380 Upper Deck operation,” added Gruber.
Kruckeberg said: “We are looking forward to continued growth and [are] hopeful our new products in the pipeline are well received within the industry.”
“Timsan’s strategy this year is shaped around innovation, sustainability and customer satisfaction. We focus on expanding our electric fleet, strengthening partnerships and providing tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers in various industries. In addition, our strategy this year is to shorten delivery times due to increasing raw material and semi-finished product supply times in the sector,” said Aksoy.
“Finally, I would like to emphasise Timsan’s commitment to providing high-quality PRM solutions that not only meet but also exceed our customers’ expectations. We are excited about the future of the PRM industry and remain committed to leading positive change through innovation, sustainability and exceptional service.”
– ghi
Aviramp takes off as ramp market booms
The UK’s leading manufacturer of aircraft boarding ramps and bridges, Aviramp, says it is on course for a record year in 2024 as global demand for its low-carbon solar-powered ramps takes off.
Aviramp – which already has 550 units in use in up to 40 different countries around the world – says it has enjoyed a 30% surge in orders in the first quarter of the year and expects demand to remain high throughout 2024 and beyond.
Chief executive and company founder Graham Corfield says the increase in orders is being driven by demand for its pioneering self-propelled solar-powered ramps, which can be operated by just one person.
“Demand for sustainable products is now where the market is, and we will continue to develop innovative solutions across our range to ensure we play a full part in protecting the planet’s future.”
Corfield said Telford-based Aviramp had enjoyed a series of significant new orders this year, with deals in place in the USA, Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
“We are delighted to have clinched $1.5 million of new orders with US-based Frontier Airlines for nine new ramps for its Denver operation. It brings Frontier’s total investment with us to nearly $2.5 million in the last 18 months.
“What’s particularly pleasing is that Frontier have been using our ramps for some time and can see the advantages that safe, step-free and solar-powered ramps bring over traditional steps. Passengers can board in comfort, disabled passengers enjoy far greater dignity, turnaround times at the airport are reduced and by using solar power they help cut the company’s carbon footprint.”
Corfield said the US, UK, and Europe remained Aviramp’s core markets, but the company was constantly growing its global footprint, including the South African and Australasia markets.
“We will continue to develop innovative solutions across our range”
Graham Corfield, Aviramp
