Airport

Econic sweeps across Iceland's largest airport.

Iceland is not only the most peaceful country in the world but also one with some of the most breathtaking natural scenery. It is no wonder that the Nordic island nation attracts many tourists every year—around ten million of them enter through the country's largest international airport alone: From Keflavik, which lies on Iceland's southwest tip about 40 km southwest of the capital Reykjavík, 28 airlines have been flying to and from Iceland since last summer.

Iceland airport: Econic sweeper ensures a clean apron.

To meet growing customer demands, an additional terminal is being planned. The airport expansion brings major challenges. Fortunately, an Econic is already on board, pitching in: the Special Truck from Mercedes-Benz with a sweeper body has been keeping the apron and taxiways of the airport clean for over a year.

A British Airways aircraft is at a gate while a yellow service vehicle numbered 47 is being prepared for maintenance.

Teamwork: Econic with body-mounted sweeper.

The airport operator Isavia has added the Econic to its team and is more than happy with this decision. The company is responsible for the operation and development of all airports in Iceland – including Keflavik International Airport. And at the country’s largest international airport operations never stand still. Particularly important to avoid accidents during take-off and landing: safety and cleanliness on the apron. These criteria call the Econic into action.

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Special attachments for special tasks.

The Econic is not used only for sweeping. Another function is the removal of hazardous metallic foreign objects from runways, taxiways and the apron. An important task that contributes significantly to aviation safety. For this purpose the Special Truck was therefore fitted with a permanent magnet bar at the front. This magnet bar reliably picks up magnetic objects across a working width of approximately 2,400 mm that would otherwise be sucked into aircraft engines and could cause damage.

The conversion of the Econic into a sweeper was carried out by the bodybuilder Aebi Schmidt. It is a dual-sweeper unit with disc brushes on both sides and a suction duct. To create installation space for the sweeper between the axles, the diesel tank, exhaust system and air reservoir were relocated behind the Econic's cab.

Ein Mercedes-Benz-Bus bewegt sich auf einem Flughafenareal, während er ein Gepäckwagen zieht, in der Nähe des Flugsteigs mit dem Schriftzug "Arion banki".

Gelber Straßenkehrmaschine auf einem verschneiten Parkplatz. Das Fahrzeug hat eine große Kehrvorrichtung vorne und eine kompakte Bauweise für effektive Reinigung.

Ein gelbes Bodenfahrzeug von ISAVIA steht auf dem Rollfeld eines Flughafens, während ein Flugzeug im Hintergrund beladen wird. Ein Gepäckwagen ist ebenfalls sichtbar.

Ein gelbes Straßenfahrzeug mit der Nummer 47 führt Wartungsarbeiten an einem Flugzeugtriebwerk am Flughafen durch. Im Hintergrund steht ein Flugzeug der Fluggesellschaft Icelandair.

Ein gelbes Flughafenbaufahrzeug fährt auf dem Rollfeld neben einem Passagierflugzeug und befasst sich mit der Instandhaltung der Flughafeninfrastruktur.

Always a clear view on the apron.

Isavia is very pleased to have the important cleaning work at the airport in the hands of the Econic year-round. To ensure the vehicle’s high availability throughout the year, competent local partners are on hand in the form of the Mercedes‑Benz dealer Bilaumbodid Askja and the local Aebi‑Schmidt dealer Aflvélar, who not only delivered the vehicle but also provide after-sales support.

The Econic’s already high built-in safety standards also convinced the Icelanders. The Special Truck offers excellent all-round visibility thanks to its DirectVision cab with panoramic windscreen, and the driver always has the many other vehicles and airport staff on the apron in view at eye level thanks to the low seating position.

The windscreen, which extends far downwards, is particularly advantageous when working with the magnetic bar, as it allows the driver to clearly see the work area. Added to this are the ergonomic benefits for the crew of up to three, who are eased by the low entry when frequently getting in and out.

“The low entry was one of the main reasons we chose the Econic — but also the good forward visibility, which is important when operating with a magnet.”

Guðjón Arngrímsson, operations manager, Keflavik Airport

A yellow Mercedes-Benz street sweeper stands on a snow-covered area, ready for cleaning. The vehicle features a modern design and robust tyres.

An overview of Isavia's Econic.

Econic 1830 (4x2), wheelbase 3,900 mm
Engine version Euro VI, 220 kW (299 hp)
Allison fully automatic transmission
Lane keeping assistant and Active Brake Assist 3
Folding door on the passenger side
Body: Aebi Schmidt sweeper SK 660
Front attachment: Aebi Schmidt permanent magnet bar PMB 2400

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