Ground-based aircraft air conditioner with thermal storage

A method of providing preconditioned air for cooling an interior cabin space of a parked aircraft, comprising:

• providing a thermal energy storage medium in thermal communication with a ground-based air-cooling unit;
• operating the ground-based air-cooling unit in a first operating mode during a first period of time, the first operating mode for charging the thermal energy storage medium;
• during a second period of time, providing a flow of air at a first temperature in thermal communication with the thermal energy storage medium, so as to discharge the thermal energy storage medium during the second period of time and to thereby change the temperature of the flow of air from the first temperature to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature;
• and,
• directing the flow of air at the second temperature to an interior cabin space of the parked aircraft.