Airport unveils new emergency response vehicles

An airport has added three "next-generation" fire emergency response vehicles that can run on vegetable oils to its fleet.

Cornwall Airport Newquay unveiled the new "state-of-the-art" aviation fire appliances, which included the Rosenbauer Panther, a move it said represented "major investment in safety and resilience".

It said each appliance could carry up to 12,000 litres (2.64 gallons) of water, specialist firefighting foam, and was capable of reaching incidents anywhere on the runway in three minutes or under.

Charles Dixon, senior airport fire officer at Cornwall Airport Newquay, said it would "significantly" enhance its ability to "respond rapidly and effectively to aircraft emergencies".

The new vehicles replace the airport's original Panther fleet which was introduced in 2008, when the site transitioned from military to civilian operations under Cornwall Council's ownership.

The airport said its new fleet supports its sustainability ambitions, with all three able to operate on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as part of a 12-month trial, with the renewable fuel capable of reducing lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional diesel.

Councillor Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for economic regeneration and investment, said the investment "underlines our commitment to the airport, which plays such a vital role in ensuring Cornwall's connectivity and helping to unlock our economic potential".

He added: "These appliances will not only ensure the continued safety of all those who use the airfield, including passengers, crews and airport staff, but they also represent a step towards a greener and cleaner future."

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