Air Canada Turns to Propane

By Anonymous

Will Winnipeg International Airport be the next venue for Air Canada to convert its ground support equipment to propane?

Maybe it’s a west-to-east trend: Air Canada converting its ground support equipment to propane at Vancouver 15 years ago and now Calgary. “When comparing the cost of propane to gasoline, Vancouver Airport is seeing an estimated annual fuel savings of $300,000 to $350,000,” says Air Canada. “In today’s world of increasing gas prices, propane offers a cost savings of approximately 50%.”

The only concern in Calgary was propane’s stability in colder weather, but after consulting with a local taxi company and school district, it was thumbs up. “Their positive experiences with the more economical and environmentally friendly propane fuel convinced the [Air Canada] team that it was on the right path,” Air Canada explains. Superior Propane is supplying the product.

An application to Transport Canada to request a subsidy for the training and equipment components necessary to convert its ground support equipment was made in fall 2004. Transport Canada announced in April 2005 that Air Canada will receive $106,925 in financial support.

Conversions started in November 2005 with mechanics to convert more than 55 pieces of ground support equipment. First, each mechanic attended a three-day training course at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to become certified to perform propane conversions.

“Once this project is complete,” says Air Canada, “it will be leveraged to other airports in Canada, with an overall potential benefit of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 3,000 tonnes annually and, in the long run, result in savings of over $1 million per year in fuel costs.”

Copyright Northern Star Communications Ltd. Nov/Dec 2005