HiSERV North America President Erin O'Donnell joined the AviationPros Podcast on June 16, 2026, to talk about the company's arrival in the North American market and what it means for airlines, ground handlers, and airports across the region.
In a conversation with host Jenny Lescohier, editor of Ground Support Worldwide, Erin walked through the story behind the launch and the industry's early response. Her takeaway was simple: the reception has been overwhelmingly positive across the entire aviation community. In her words, the industry “welcomed us with open arms.”
That response speaks to a real need in the market. Operators across North America are under constant pressure to keep aircraft moving, manage costs, and stay flexible as schedules and fleets change. Owning ground support equipment outright ties up capital and locks operators into assets that may not match next season's demand. HiSERV offers a different path.
Through SmartRENTAL, HiSERV gives airlines, ground handlers, and airports flexible access to the GSE they need, for as long as they need it, whether that means a short-term rental to cover a seasonal peak or a long-term lease to support a sustained operation. It is a model built around the way operators actually work, freeing them to scale up or down without the cost and commitment of ownership.
For those new to the name, HiSERV North America is the North American division of HiSERV GmbH. Since 2016, the company has grown a fleet of more than 15,000 ground support equipment units across 13 countries, building a reputation in Europe for reliable equipment and responsive service. Our North American team brings the same proven approach to the U.S., supported by the global organization's experience and scale.
It is an exciting moment for the team, and the early momentum reflects a clear market appetite for a better way to source ground support equipment. As HiSERV builds relationships with operators across the region, conversations like this one help tell the story of who we are and what we're working toward.
Give the full episode a listen on Apple Podcasts, and reach out to our team to learn how HiSERV can support your operation.
