New sustainability milestone for AGS Airports’ UK gateways

AGS Airports reports that Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports have achieved Level 4+ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports. It independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through seven levels of certification. Level 4+ is the second highest level of certification.

To secure Level 4+, all three of AGS’ airports had to demonstrate they are “transforming airport operations and those of their business partners to achieve absolute emissions reductions.”

Importantly, the accreditation recognises that AGS has defined a long-term carbon management strategy that is aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Achieving net zero for its direct emissions by 2035 is a key pillar of AGS’ ESG strategy which it launched earlier this year. The airport group has made great strides in decarbonising its operations with initiatives including:

• transitioning to sustainable fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) which is used in operational vehicles;
• investing in electric vehicles;
• supporting the net zero efforts of its airport partners including airlines; and
• advancing the UK aviation sector’s transition to zero emission flight. With funding from the Scottish Government, AGS recently led a consortium to test the feasibility of a hydrogen production, storage and distribution hub that would support zero emission flight.

Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI EUROPE which launched the ACA scheme in 2009, said: “This is an important milestone, attesting that their carbon reduction strategy is now fully aligned with the objective of the Paris Agreement.

“AGS Airports’ ambition to achieve net zero for direct emissions already by 2035 is backed by real action, from electrifying their vehicle fleet to exploring hydrogen production and distribution to enable future zero emission flights. These are the kinds of concrete steps that move the aviation sector closer to decarbonisation. Hats off to the entire AGS Airports team for their commitment and hard work.”

While Kam Jandu, chief executive of AGS Airports, said: “This is a significant achievement for AGS and acknowledgement that we are making tangible progress in decarbonising our airports while supporting the efforts of the wider aviation sector.

“Our ESG strategy sets out how we balance the undoubted social and economic benefits our airports deliver, with our climate change responsibilities.

“Sustainable growth is integral to our business model and long-term success, and we have worked hard to embed it into our core operations which is why we are delighted to have secured Level 4+ of the ACA scheme. I am extremely proud of our team who not only developed this strategy but also ensure we live it every day.”

In January 2025, AGS was acquired by one of the world’s leading private airport operators, AviAlliance, which is also invested in Athens, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and San Juan (Puerto Rico) airports.

AGS is also held by funds managed by Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. In April 2025, the airport group’s new owners announced plans to invest £350 million in the future growth and decarbonisation of AGS over the course of the next five years.