Introduction

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Europe’s 3rd largest airport, with 6 runways and over 60 million passengers annually, faces a unique challenge: maintaining the 11km² of grass around its runways without impacting operations or the environment. Traditional mowing solutions pose limitations, including disruptions to flight operations, excessively tall grass, and a significant environmental footprint. To address these challenges, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol turned to ECHO Robotics’ advanced robotic mowers.

The ECHO Robotics Solution

In 2022, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol initiated the use of two solar-powered ECHO Robotics mowers to evaluate their efficiency and adaptability. These robots, stationed at solar charging hubs, have been tasked with automated grass maintenance to see how effectively they meet the airport’s needs. Following the success of the initial trial, Schiphol introduced a third robot in 2024.

Results: Sustainable and Safe Grass Management

The benefits of using ECHO Robotics’ robotic mowers at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport have been substantial:

• Uninterrupted Operations: The robotic mowers operate without the need for runway closures, allowing air traffic to flow without interruption.
• Reduced Carbon Footprint: The solar-powered machines contribute to Schiphol’s sustainability goals by reducing emissions compared to traditional fuel-based mowers.
• Optimal Grass Height: The robots maintain an ideal grass height even under adverse weather conditions, such as rain or limited visibility.
• Enhanced Bird Management: By keeping the grass shorter, visibility for bird patrol teams is improved, reducing the risk of bird collisions with aircraft.
• Reduced Nesting: Research from Dokkadeltaet Våtmarkssenter AS at Norway’s Stavanger Airport showed that birds stopped nesting in areas maintained by robotic mowers, an effect that could benefit Schiphol as well.
• Increased Safety: Automated mowing minimizes the need for human intervention, reducing personnel risk near active runways.

Conclusion

Adopting ECHO Robotics robotic mowers marks a start to a strategic shift for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, moving towards safer, greener, and more efficient groundskeeping. As testing continues, the airport aims to expand this innovative solution to optimize its groundskeeping from 2026, setting a new standard for sustainable airport management.

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