Christchurch International Airport receives first all-electric RT at a Southern Hemisphere airport

At the end of January, Rosenbauer International delivered a "Revolutionary Technology" (RT) specially designed for airport operations to Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL). This state-of-the-art, all-electric vehicle is the first of its kind at a Southern Hemisphere airport and will significantly enhance the airport's emergency response capabilities both on and off the tarmac. The order for the PANTHER 6x6 electric, a fully electric version of the proven PANTHER airport fire engine, underlines Christchurch Airport's consistent commitment to safety and environmental protection.

Rosenbauer 's RT is already strengthening Christchurch Airport's firefighting capacity. The completely newly developed vehicle concept is highly efficient and suitable for a wide range of firefighting and rescue operations. The RT is suitable for use on the airport apron, including runways, taxiways and apron, as well as public and accessible areas of the airport, such as terminal buildings, parking lots, access roads and cargo areas. Its advanced extinguishing system includes a combined normal/high pressure pump, water/ foam/powder extinguishing functions and a roof turret. The outstanding ergonomic design makes the RT a valuable tool for airport emergency personnel.

The recent acquisition of the PANTHER 6x6 electric marks another important step towards sustainability. As the world's first fully electric aircraft rescue & fire fighting vehicle , it offers the same firefighting performance as its diesel counterparts, but with significantly lower environmental impact. Its reduced CO₂ emissions in daily operation - from deployment to training and standby - support the aviation industry and airport operators in achieving their climate goals. With its electric drive and faster response times, the PANTHER 6x6 electric improves rescue and firefighting operations at Christchurch Airport while minimizing its CO2 footprint.

The four electric drive motors of the PANTHER 6x6 electric ensure excellent driving performance to reach the job site quickly. The fire-fighting vehicle handles daily operations purely electrically and can achieve the required acceleration (0 to 80 km/h in under 25 seconds) and top speed (120 km/h) purely electrically. In "Boost Mode" the vehicle even accelerates in under 20 seconds. The electric drive platform developed by Rosenbauer for the PANTHER 6x6 electric with the associated high-voltage batteries provides sufficient energy for the two- to three-minute drive to the scene of the incident, the discharging of all extinguishing agent and the return journey. The vehicle charges with both direct and alternating current and is quickly ready for the next use with a maximum charging power of up to 300 kW. An energy backup system ensures continuous operation and unrestricted operational capability. The industrial supply pump in the vehicle is operated either electrically or in combination with the Energy Backup System. The vehicle is equipped with powerful extinguishing systems and the water pump is electrically operated at full wattage (9,000 l/min).

"We are very pleased to welcome the PANTHER 6x6 electric, along with the recently delivered RT vehicle, to our fleet," says Tim Morris, Head of Flight Operations at Christchurch Airport. "This vehicle is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class emergency services while making significant progress towards our sustainability goals. The PANTHER 6x6 Electric, arriving next year, is a major step towards reducing our environmental impact and bringing us closer to our vision of becoming a carbon-neutral airport by 2035."

"With the introduction of the RT at Christchurch International Airport and the future purchase of a PANTHER 6x6 electric, we are setting new standards in airport firefighting. These vehicles are a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that improve both safety and environmental performance. We are delighted to accompany Christchurch International Airport on this groundbreaking step," says Sebastian Wolf, Chief Executive Officer of Rosenbauer International AG.

The PANTHER 6x6 electric will go into operation after the official handover at Interschutz 2026. Since Christchurch Airport already uses PANTHER, the PANTHER 6x6 electric will be seamless integrated into airport services.

As New Zealand's second-largest airport and a major international hub, Christchurch Airport is continually modernising and expanding its infrastructure to cope with increasing passenger volumes. The purchase of the PANTHER 6x6 electric and the RT will ensure that the airport remains a safe scene for all passengers and employees. These vehicles enable emergency services to respond more quickly to emergencies. The airport's proactive focus on sustainability ensures that it is future-oriented in terms of operational efficiency and environmental protection by integrating advanced technologies into its emergency fleet.