Hamburg, Germany – LEKTRO, Inc. reached a new milestone delivering their 5,400th aircraft tug to Airbus at their manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany. This milestone breaks LEKTRO’s previous record as the world’s number one producer of electric towbarless aircraft tugs. The sale was brokered by LEKTRO’s authorized dealer for Germany and Austria, Bartosch Airport Supply Services GmbH.
“It is an honor to provide ground handling solutions to Airbus in Hamburg,” commented Leo Bartosch, President of Bartosch Airport Supply Services. “We look forward to supporting Airbus whenever the need arises.”
The tug, a LEKTRO model AP8950SDB-AL-200, is the American company’s second largest pushback offering, capable of handling all single aisle Airbus aircraft up to and including the A321 Neo. The tug features a new cabin design, developed by LEKTRO in partnership with Walter Mauser GmbH of Breitenau am Steinfelde, Austria, and Oliver Voss, Manager for Flightline/Delivery Maintenance Support at Airbus in Hamburg. It features improved visibility, heated glass for fast defrosting, as well as cabin air conditioning and heating. The side panels with doors can also now easily be removed, becoming a “shade top” for applications not requiring heating or cooling.
“LEKTRO’s product evolution has always been driven by listening to our customers. The new cabin design was directly influenced by the requirements and desires of Airbus, which resulted in a significant upgrade to our cabin ergonomics and design,” said Stephen Sipe, LEKTRO’s Director Sales and Marketing.
Airbus selected LEKTRO for its superior reliability, after sales support, and environmentally friendly electric drivetrain.
“We are very pleased and impressed with the quality of LEKTRO’s products,” confirmed Airbus’s Oliver Voss. “We appreciate LEKTRO’s willingness to create a tractor that meets our needs and we look forward to many years of reliable and efficient service.”
“Needless to say, we are very grateful to Oliver Voss and Airbus for their confidence and assistance. We look forward to being of service for many years to come,” added Eric Paulson, LEKTRO’s President and CEO.
Having invented the world’s first towbarless aircraft tug in 1967, LEKTRO has long been an industry leader. Currently their vehicles are in use in 93 countries across the globe. As a testament to their quality of construction and reliability, their second tug ever manufactured is still in operation. Their first unit produced was recently taken out of service to be displayed in LEKTRO's museum at their headquarters in Warrenton, Oregon, USA.
