We really need an overall emissions policy for aviation that would promote progress and define the trade-offs. One of the areas where we think real progress is both possible and likely is in the electrification of our ground service equipment. Emissions of nox at an airport are the product of more than just aircraft. Those vehicles, by the way, produce an added benefit in that they are also quieter than their gas-burning equivalents. Unfortunately, a major transition like this doesn't happen overnight - and it certainly isn't cheap.
Some airports lack the infrastructure required to support an all-electric fleet on the ground.
Developing the infrastructure to support electrification of our ground service equipment fleet system-wide will likely take years. But in the meantime, we are experimenting, in a variety of ways, to find more emission-reduction opportunities. For example, we are working with the Houston Advanced Research Center to develop fuel cells, both stationary and mobile, that will provide the power our equipment will need without depending on the power grid. We believe we are the industry innovators in developing an electric fueling cart which is recharged with solar energy. We're looking hard at everything we do, to find as many opportunities to reduce emissions as much as we can.