Planes, trains and Citroen automobiles

Citroen has supplied a fleet of C1 superminis to the airline handling arm of multi-modal transport operator, Go-Ahead Group. A total of 17 C1 Rhythm 1.4HDi models have been acquired by Go-Ahead, to be used as airside vehicles at airports throughout the country. All the vehicles will be branded aviance, the international service network of which Go-Ahead is the UK member.

The new cars will help aviance reduce its carbon footprint, as the exceptionally fuel efficient 1.4HDi-powered Citroen C1, equipped with Gas Exhaust Recirculating (EGR), has an emissions level of just 109g/km CO2, one of the lowest figures of any car in the UK.

The C1 superminis are also small in size, with a compact 9.5m turning circle, making them ideal for crowded airport service areas. Yet they also have a four star Euro NCAP rating and “big” car safety features, including driver and passenger airbags and two lateral airbags. Also all Citroen C1s have ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Cornering Stability Control.

Ten C1s have been allocated to aviance’s Gatwick operation and the remaining seven will go to other handling operations in the UK. The cars will be used by members of aviance’s traffic department, who deliver documentation to aircraft pilots and control ground operations such as passenger boarding and disembarkation.

Bob Belither, equipment manager for aviance UK, said, “We were looking for a small diesel car, and the C1 was the smallest practical vehicle. Diesel can be much more practical on an airport than petrol. It’s easier to obtain, because most airside handling equipment uses diesel and, unlike petrol, diesel cars can be refilled from a mobile bowser.”

The cars have been fitted with an orange beacon but otherwise needed no modification for airside use. Other extras include an access system, allowing only authorised personnel to drive the cars. (All but one of aviance’s C1 cars are licensed for on-airport use only). They also carry a crash sensor in the front bumper and parking sensors.

C1 cars have a large glass area, which not only gives a light and airy interior, but also provides greater visibility. “Improved visibility is another vitally important safety feature for airport operation,” adds Bob Belither.

Airport staff will appreciate the effort that Citroen’s designers have put into achieving the maximum amount of useful interior space in the smallest overall package. Inside the C1 there is space for up to four passengers and plenty of room for documents and other necessities, with 12 different storage compartments cleverly positioned around the car’s interior.

The Go-Ahead Group is active in London’s bus and rail markets, as well as bus and rail companies in North East England, West Midlands and the South of England. It has become one of the UK’s leading airport handling companies following a substantial acquisition programme over the past few years.

Go-Ahead's aviation services company has adopted the name aviance UK following the acquisition of a number of other handling companies and now serves 17 airports in the UK and Eire, including Birmingham, Dublin, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester. Its 4,842 staff are responsible for services including passenger processing, information desks, business lounges, baggage handling, cargo handling, customs clearance, security screening and aircraft co-ordination. aviance UK is part of the international aviance alliance, which operates at 77 airports in 11 countries.