Off on holiday.

Whether providing winter service with a plough, snow blower and a truck-mounted gritter – the Unimog is a widely used helper on the airfield even in critical weather conditions. The very first Unimog U 25 models from the 70200 and 2010 series were deployed at airports worldwide. Today it is primarily the current Unimog U 405 series of the Unimog implement carrier that is ordered by operators.

Every now and then curious spotters even spot Unimog with a two-way conversion on the airport grounds. After all, in the freight sector it is often necessary to load and unload trains. As a multifunctional traction vehicle on internal rail tracks, the Unimog is a real superstar. Conventional diesel locomotives have by now largely retired to sidings or museums.

It goes without saying that runways must be spotlessly clean so that the delicate engines of Airbus, Boeing and Co. do not suffer any damage. The Unimog has been a reliable support at the airport for decades when used as a blower sweeper. Not to forget the removal of rubber deposits from runways, as well as apron cleaning, including the use of magnets for foreign object removal.

Of course the Unimog also proves itself as a tractor for a wide variety of trailers – for example for aircraft refuelling or baggage logistics on the apron. Some enthusiasts can’t help but smile when the technical discussion turns to the tractor‑unit versions for coach semi‑trailers that were used to transport passengers across the apron in days gone by.

De‑icing vehicles, vehicles fitted with wide‑area mowing units for the apron, workshop vehicles for maintaining the airport’s technical installations, vehicles with loading cranes and excavator bodies for general maintenance tasks, or even as a mobile command post (tower) – the Unimog time and again lives up to its name.

Airport operators have also long relied on the Unimog as an aircraft and helicopter tug: for example, the Unimog U 406 was already able to manoeuvre a Boeing B-747 Jumbo‑Jet with ease.

And last but not least, of course, hazard prevention: The Unimog is always on hand as a special-purpose vehicle when things get critical. For example as rapid initial-attack and dry-suppression firefighting vehicles, as rescue vehicles for airport fire services, and as patient transport and rescue vehicles. The police have also been highly satisfied with their versions of the Unimog across many model series – for example in service as protected operational vehicles, such as the SW 4 based on the Unimog U 435.