The Unimog – grey eminence at the airport.

Winter service provider, cleaner, 2-way superstar.

Whether snow-clearing operations with plough, snow blower and piggyback automatic gritter – the Unimog is a widely used helper even on the runway in critical weather conditions. The first Unimog U25 of the 70200 and 2010 series were already used at airports around the world. These days, it is primarily the current Unimog U 405 series that is ordered by the operating companies.

Every now and then, curious spotters even spot Unimogs with road/ rail conversions at the airport. It’s not uncommon for trains to be loaded and unloaded in the freight sector. As a multifunctional towing vehicle on internal tracks, the Unimog is a real superstar. The conventional diesel locomotives are now largely enjoying their retirement on sidings or in the museum.

2-way, many possibilities: The Unimog at the InnoTrans 2024

It goes without saying that the runways have to be spotlessly clean that the delicate engines of Airbus, Boeing and others do not suffer any damage. The Unimog has been a reliable assistant at airports for decades when it comes into its own as a sweeper blower. Not forgetting the removal of tyre rubber on runways, as well as apron maintenance, also with magnets for removing foreign objects.

Refuelling, logistics and fire-fighting vehicle.

Of course, the Unimog is also proving itself as a tractor for a wide range of trailers - such as for refuelling aircraft or baggage logistics on the runway. A smile comes to the face of one or two enthusiasts when the technical simplicity falls on the semitrailer tractor versions for bus semitrailers for passenger transport on the apron from the distant past.

De-icing vehicles, vehicles with large-area mowers for the apron, workshop vehicles for the maintenance of airport equipment, vehicles with loading cranes and excavator bodies for general maintenance services or even as a mobile control centre (tower) - the Unimog always lives up to its name.

Airport operators have also been swearing by the Unimog as an aircraft and helicopter tractor for a long time: For example, the Unimog U 406 was already able to manoeuvre a Boeing B-747 jumbo jet without any problems.

And last but not least, of course, emergency response: The Unimog is always there on hand as a special vehicle when things get critical. For example, as fast firefighting vehicles, as rescue vehicles for the airport fire brigade and as ambulances and rescue vehicles. The police have also been extremely satisfied with their various versions of the Unimog series - for example in use as protected emergency vehicles, such as the SW 4 based on the Unimog U 435.

The Unimog in firefighting operations