Christchurch International Airport receives first, fully electric RT at an airport in the Southern Hemisphere

The airport ordered a PANTHER 6×6 electric advancing its safety and sustainability goals

At the end of January, Rosenbauer International delivered its RT fire truck, specially designed for airport operations, to Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL). The state-of-the-art, fully electric vehicle is the first of its kind at an airport in the Southern Hemisphere and it will significantly bolster the airport’s emergency response capabilities on and off airport. The announcement of the acquisition of the PANTHER Electric, a fully electric version of the renowned PANTHER ARFF vehicle, underscores Christchurch Airport’s ongoing commitment to both safety and environmental responsibility. 

The Rosenbauer RT fire truck is already enhancing Christchurch Airport’s firefighting capacity. The completely newly developed vehicle concept is highly efficient and suited for a wide range of firefighting and rescue operations. The RT is therefore considered for airside and landside operation, including runways, taxiways, and the apron, as well as terminal buildings, parking areas, access roads, and cargo zones. Its advanced systems include a combined normal/high-pressure pump, water/foam/powder extinguishing functions, and a roof turret. The outstanding ergonomic design makes it a vital asset to the airport’s emergency response team. 

The recent purchase of the PANTHER electric marks another major step toward sustainability. As the world’s first fully electric ARFF vehicle, it delivers the same extinguishing performance as its diesel counterparts, but with a significantly lower environmental impact. Its reduced CO₂ emissions during daily operations—from deployment to training and standby—support the aviation industry and airport operators in meeting their climate goals. With its electric drive and faster response times, the PANTHER electric enhances aircraft rescue and firefighting operations at Christchurch Airport, while minimizing its carbon footprint. 

The four electric drive motors in the PANTHER 6×6 electric provide outstanding driving performance to reach the operation site quickly. The ARFF vehicle handles daily operations entirely on electric power and meets the required acceleration (0 to 80 km/h in under 25 seconds) and top speed (120 km/h) purely on electric drive. In “Boost Mode,” this vehicle accelerates in under 20 seconds. The electric drive platform developed by Rosenbauer for the PANTHER 6×6 electric, with its associated high-voltage batteries, provides sufficient energy for the two- to three-minute drive to the operation site, the discharge of the entire extinguishing agent, and the return trip. The vehicle supports both direct and alternating current charging, with a maximum charging capacity of 300 kW, ensuring rapid readiness for the next operation. An ‘Energy Backup System’ ensures continuous operation and unrestricted capability. The high-performance pump in the vehicle can be operated either electrically or in combination with the Energy Backup System. The vehicle is equipped with high-performance firefighting systems, including a powerful water and foam delivery system. The water pump operates electrically at full capacity (9,000 l/min). 

“We are incredibly excited to welcome the PANTHER electric to our fleet alongside the recently delivered RT vehicle,” said Tim Morris, Head of Aviation Operations at Christchurch Airport. “This vehicle is testament to our commitment to providing top-tier emergency services, while also making meaningful progress towards our sustainability goals. The PANTHER 6×6 electric that arrives next year, represents a major step in reducing our environmental impact and advancing our vision of becoming a net-zero airport by 2035.”

“With the introduction of the RT fire engine at Christchurch International Airport and the future purchase of a PANTHER 6×6 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 pioneering journey,” says Sebastian Wolf, CEO of Rosenbauer.

The PANTHER 6×6 electric is expected to become operational after an official handover at Interschutz 2026. As Christchurch Airport already operates PANTHER ARFF vehicles, the PANTHER electric will be seamlessly integrated into the airport service.

As New Zealand’s second-largest airport and a key international gateway, Christchurch Airport continues to modernize and expand its facilities to handle increasing passenger traffic. The addition of the Rosenbauer PANTHER electric and RT ensures that the airport remains a safe and secure environment for all passengers and staff. These vehicles will enhance the airport’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies. Moreover, the airport’s proactive focus on sustainability ensures that it is preparing for the future in both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility continuing to prioritize advanced technology in its emergency fleet.

For more information, go to: www.rosenbauer.com