SUSTAINABILITY

We shine the spotlight on the latest airports to reach Level 5 in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme and a host of pioneering sustainability initiatives across the globe. Airport Carbon Accreditation excellence Stockholm Arlanda and Ronneby airports in Sweden and Bengaluru-Kempegowda and Delhi-Indira Gandhi in India have become the latest gateways to achieve the highest […]

Dublin Airport is exploring the potential of geothermal energy as a renewable, low-carbon energy source to heat and cool its facilities. The news was announced ahead of the 3rd National Geothermal Energy Summit taking place at Dublin Castle today. Geothermal energy comes from heat in the Earth’s core. While temperatures fluctuate above ground, a few […]

Edinburgh Airport is seeking feedback from communities on how it plans to manage and mitigate noise caused by aviation operations. The airport, now part of the VINCI Airports network, has launched its draft Noise Action Plan (NAP) for 2024 to 2028 and in the weeks and months ahead will discuss the plan with those living […]

London Luton Airport (LLA) notes that it has taken another key step in its journey to achieving net zero emissions by 2040 following its investment in a fleet of sustainable car park transfer buses and operational vehicles used across the airport. The new buses are powered by ISCC (International Sustainability Carbon Certification) certified hydrotreated vegetable […]

The topic of rising airfares was one of the focal points of discussions among airport leaders during the Board Meeting of the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. An airfare study, undertaken by ACI APAC & MID, in partnership with Flare Aviation Consulting, examined airfare trends across approximately 60,000 routes in 19 […]

The UK’s Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, has visited Birmingham Airport’s new 6.8-megawatt solar farm, made up of 12,000 panels, responsible for providing at least 20% of the airport’s electrical power requirement. Birmingham Airport has committed to beat the government’s deadline and become net zero by 2033. An ambitious target that the multi-million-pound sustainable investment will […]

Hamad International Airport’s Central Concourse, which includes the indoor tropical garden, ORCHARD,  has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. The certification showcases the airports commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible construction practices. LEED certification is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and one of the most widely used green building […]

Newcastle Airport in Australia has joined forces with CommBank to fund a raft of pioneering sustainability programmes via an innovative A$235 million Green Sustainability-Linked Loan (GSLL). The GSLL converts existing loan funding to one linked to specific sustainability actions and outcomes. Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock said with the support of the GSLL, Newcastle Airport […]

ACI EUROPE has called on the European Commission to extend the EU State aid Guidelines to regional airports, so that they can continue contributing to the connectivity, competitiveness and cohesion of Europe’s regions but also decarbonise and facilitate the deployment of zero-emission aircraft. Responding to the recent initial public consultation on the review of the […]

Queenstown Airport has achieved Level 4+ ‘Transition’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The New Zealand gateway says that the achievement acknowledges its commitment to sustainability and progress towards decarbonisation. The highest tier in the programme, which was launched in 2009 to independently assess the efforts of airports to reduce carbon emissions, is Level […]

We shine the spotlight on the latest sustainability efforts of Munich, LaGuardia and Washington DC’s airports and a handful of the award winning projects in ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East’s Green Recognition 2024 programme. Munich Airport trialling new sustainable energy system An innovative system for sustainable energy generation from both wind and solar power is […]

Construction work has begun on a new 13,000 solar panel array that will sit on the roof New York-JFK’s new Terminal One. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New Terminal One consortium that was selected to design, build and operate the new terminal, the solar array will be […]

Munich Airport’s wholly owned ground handling subsidiary has taken delivery of the first 10 electric passenger buses, with another 27 on the way before the end of the year. AeroGround Flughafen München GmbH has the option to purchase a further 25 buses from MAN Truck & Bus Germany in the future. The German gateway claims […]

Edinburgh Airport has been recognised for the work done to reduce absolute emissions after becoming the first in Scotland to achieve a global carbon accreditation. The airport has reached Level 4 ‘Transformation’ in the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. This is one of the highest levels in the global carbon management certification programme for airports. This […]

Andrew Caughey, head of sustainable aviation at AtkinsRéalis, offers advice to airports seeking to become future fuels ready. Airports will be a critical enabler for the transition to zero emission flights. While future flight aircraft are progressing swiftly through their development cycle, they won’t be able to deliver on their promise of cleaner aviation and […]

ACI World and Airbus have signed a cooperation agreement to support the industry’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of aviation. This partnership leverages the strengths of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer and the largest and most important international association of airports to make significant progress in both decarbonising aviation and mitigating aircraft noise impact. […]

An innovative system for sustainable energy generation from both wind and solar power is currently in use at Munich Airport. The system utilises a container with photovoltaic panels and wind rotors from FlowGen, a company that specialises in green energy system solutions. In cooperation with Munich Airport, the mobile energy container is being used to […]

Brussels South Charleroi Airport has successfully achieved level 4 ‘Transformation’ status in ACI EUROPE’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. This recognition confirms and recognises the airport’s environmental commitments. Operator BSCA notes that Level 4 of the ACA programme means that its strategy for managing carbon emissions is in line with international climate goals. Among other things, […]

More than 10% of Dublin Airport’s current annual electricity needs will soon be provided by a new 9MWp solar farm under construction on the airport campus. Airport operator, daa made the announcement while welcoming Jack Chambers, Minister of State for Transport, on a visit today to the 28-acre site located close to the south runway […]

It seems hard to believe, but Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) is celebrating its 10th anniversary of connecting passengers to the world. In facts and figures, in its first decade, Hamad has welcomed a total of 325.1 million passengers, accommodated 2.1 million aircraft movements, handled 20.5 million tonnes of cargo and processed 258 million bags. Qatar […]

Three foundational Resolutions aimed at ensuring a safe and sustainable aviation system as demand for air travel continues to rise were unanimously adopted by airport members today at ACI World’s Annual General Assembly in Riyadh. ACI World director general and CEO, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, noted: “Global passenger traffic is poised to soar, with projections […]

Airport World reports on a handful of new sustainability initiatives taking place at airports across Europe. New green storage battery milestone for Copenhagen Airport Denmark’s air gateway to the world, Copenhagen Airport (CPH), has installed a battery for storing green power. The airport is a key partner in the EU-back ALRIGHT project that is designed […]

Following a year of strong growth, Shannon Airport is gearing up to reach the two million passenger mark by the end of 2024, the first time since 2009. According to Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, growth across all key air services in 2023 surpassed expectations. “Last year saw us welcome 1.959 million […]

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and the New York Power Authority have begun construction of New York State’s largest onsite solar plus storage project. Once operational, the solar carport project will generate electricity to help power the AirTrain and to reduce electricity costs for residents of low-income neighbourhoods in Queens. […]

Budapest has become the first airport in Central Europe to achieve level 4+ ‘Transition’ status in ACI’s  Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The achievement means that the Hungarian gateway is on target to achieve net zero emissions by 2035. The airport says that it has been working closely with its partners to reduce the environmental impacts […]

Tulsa International Airport celebrated Earth Day by unveiling additional state-of-the-art Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers located in the airport’s parking garage, which will accommodate an additional 32 vehicles. It believes that the project, which was realised through a collaboration with the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG), Tulsa International Airport and Public Service Company of Oklahoma […]

LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) has announced that Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport has been awarded its second LEED Gold certification, this time for its operations and maintenance (O&M) practices. It believes that the prestigious accolade underscores LGP’s “unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in aviation infrastructure”. LEED certification by the US Green Building Council […]

Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport has become the first airport in Latin America and the Caribbean to receive Level 4+ ‘Transition’ certification in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Driven on by operator Corporación Quiport’s commitment to being a good neighbour, the Ecuadorian gateway has been part of the programe since 2015. All airports achieving Level […]

A ground breaking ceremony has officially marked the start of construction work of a terminal regeneration project at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in the UK. The privately funded £100 million development, known as LBA:REGEN, is expected to transform LBA’s existing terminal building into a modern, efficient and sustainable facility, enhancing passenger experience and supporting the […]

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has announced the launch of a renewable diesel pilot project at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) as part of its ambition to make it the world’s greenest airport. Hong Kong claims to be the first airport in Asia to use renewable diesel, which can reduce greenhouse gas emission by 87% […]

Amsterdam Schiphol’s Klaas Boersma and multimodal researcher, Aniek Toet, reflect on the importance of a shared vision when it comes to embracing multimodality at the world’s airports. I am obviously biased, but the journey airports have made over the last 50 years to become key social and economic generators, synonymous with global trade and connectivity, […]

Airline services and route networks ultimately decide the fate of any airport. As global environmental concerns grow, navigating air service development towards sustainable aviation will be a key challenge going forward, writes George Karamanos. Air travel is vital in facilitating global mobility, trade, and tourism. However, the rapid growth of the aviation industry is gradually […]

Airport World takes a closer look at some of the sustainability stories making headlines across globe in the first quarter of the year. Ambitious daa unveils environmental sustainability initiatives Irish airport operator, daa, has unveiled a 20-point plan to “accelerate its environmental sustainability ambitions” at Dublin (DUB) and Cork (ORK) airports and ensure that it […]

Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, today announced that its investment in sustainable aviation will continue through its SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) incentive programme. The initiative offers discounts and reimburses airlines up to 50% of the premium cost for refuelling with environmentally friendly renewable aviation fuel. This year is the fifth in a row that Swedavia has […]

The UK’s Sustainable Aviation (SA) coalition has launched a new manifesto outlining the aviation industry’s commitment to achieving net zero and minimising the impact of noise, while maximising the economic benefits that aviation delivers across the nations and regions of the UK. SA is a coalition of UK airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and fuel producers […]

London Gatwick says that it has cut carbon emissions from its diesel vehicles by 90% by swapping the fuel for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The switch means London Gatwick will save more than 950 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum. HVO is a low-carbon biofuel made from plant waste, oils and fats making it a […]

Airport International Group (AIG) and Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) have formed a strategic partnership to enhance the water infrastructure of Queen Alia International Airport. The agreement paves the way for a new water pipeline spanning over 11 kilometres from Miyahuna’s Al Qastal substation to the airport, of which 4.6km are outside airport premises and 6.7km […]

Belfast City Airport has further reinforced its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by becoming the first airport in Northern Ireland to achieve a Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Judith Davis, airport operations manager at Belfast City Airport, enthused: “At Belfast City Airport, we consistently and proactively review the environmental […]

Menzies Aviation has successfully installed hundreds of solar panels at its cargo facility at Prague Airport (PRG) which are expected to save around 140 tonnes of CO2 yearly. Almost 900 panels have been installed at the 14,000sqm cargo warehouse, a neighbouring administrative building and on the building’s façade. The panels are set to produce more […]

A new solar photovoltaic (PV) system is to be installed on the rooftop areas of Singapore Changi’s terminal buildings, terminal auxiliary structures, airfield and cargo buildings. The new sustainability friendly addition will be designed, built, owned and operated by Keppel Ltd (Keppel) for 25 years when it is completed in early 2025. When up and […]

Attendees at the Glasgow Airport Hydrogen Innovation Hub summit heard that the infrastructure needed to support zero-emission flight could be in place as early as 2027. The first-of-its-kind aviation hydrogen summit, held at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), brought sector leaders in aviation, finance, aerospace, renewables and engineering from across the world together with […]

Irish airport operator, daa, today unveiled details of 20 environmental sustainability initiatives being rolled out at Dublin and Cork Airports. It is confident that each which will help accelerate both airports’ climate and sustainability related ambitions, including achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The projects are also matched by a planned investment […]

Cannes-Mandelieu and Golfe de Saint-Tropez airports
in France today announced that they plan abandoning diesel vehicles to reduce their joint emissions
by more than 50 tonnes of CO2 per year. The Côte d’Azur airports state that any internal combustion vehicle that cannot be converted to fully electric engines will now be fuelled with biodiesel, which will result […]

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) in Cambodia has provided further evidence of its green credentials by achieving Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ certification in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The programme requires the monitoring of the airport carbon footprint and the implementation of actions to reduce the footprint over the years. To achieve its targets, PNH has […]

SNC-Lavalin and Engineering Net Zero director, Isabelle Smith, shares insight on the challenges ahead and explains why data-driven decisions will be fundamental in achieving the industry’s green ambitions. The long, steady journey to reduce carbon emissions is becoming urgent. Against the unrelenting pressure of a changing, unpredictable climate, the task is enormous. Aviation accounts for […]

RS&H’s Ben Moore and Nathan Stinnette discuss the importance of sustainability management plans and getting sustainability programmes to take-off at US airports. Sustainability is increasingly seen as a critical facet of airport planning, but getting sustainability programmes to take off at airports is no easy feat, requiring substantial effort in data collection and management, planning, […]

Focusing on three key issues will help the aviation industry reduce carbon emissions, writes Landrum & Brown’s sustainable airports specialist, Sara Christen. For anyone involved in the aviation industry or running an airport today, a major talking point is the sector’s contribution to global warming, and how we can cut carbon emissions and improve our […]

Jennifer Desharnais, ACI World’s director of sustainability and environmental protection, explains more about the Airports of Tomorrow initative and new Green Transition Toolkit. Airports have been at the centre of aviation decarbonisation, and they continue to be on the front line to provide and facilitate sustainable solutions and practices for the entire ecosystem. The ACI […]

ICF’s Eliot Lees and Chris Watson consider some of the key issues airports should take into account when planning for the electrification of their fleet of ground support vehicles and equipment. As airports seek to reduce their carbon footprint and align with environmental goals, transitioning to electric vehicles is not just an ethical choice, it […]

Airport World takes a closer look at some of the sustainability stories making headlines across globe in the final quarter of the year. Taking Airport Carbon Accreditation to the next level Amsterdam Schiphol, Christchurch, Göteborg Landvetter, Madeira, Malmö and Rotterdam The Hague airports are among the first 10 airports on the planet to achieve Level […]

The growth and development of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme was one of the sustainable aviation highlights of 2023, writes WSP’s Dr Catherine Wilson. There is no time to waste when it comes to protecting the environment, especially as at the close of 2023 there will be just seven years left to meet the International […]

London Gatwick claims to have become the first international airport to open an Electric Forecourt, a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging station for all to use from today. The brand-new site has 30 high-power and low-power electric vehicle chargers available via contactless payment alongside high-speed Wi-Fi, a lounge area, Costa Coffee, Little Fresh convenience store […]

Cutting edge technologies will help airports lead the industry to net zero, writes Olivier Vidal. The aviation industry is a contributor to greenhouse gases, responsible for 2% of global carbon emissions. While attention has been on reducing the impact of airplanes and increasing fuel efficiency, airports add to that carbon footprint. This offers opportunities for […]

Gurjit Wood, sustainable aviation at Arup, considers what makes a sustainable airport and how the aviation industry can achieve sustainability. Although complex in its delivery, sustainable aviation can be addressed through the realisation of two major priorities: a transition to sustainable fuels, and the development of sustainable airports. It could be argued that the former […]

Göteborg Landvetter Airport and Malmö Airport are two of the first ten airports in the world, and the only airports in Northern Europe, to receive the highest level of certification according to the Airport Carbon Accreditation – the international industry standard for climate transition work at the world’s airports. The increased ambition means that the […]

Los Angeles International Airport’s Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility has been recognised with an Energy and Operational Carbon Design Merit award from the US Green Building Council. The award, from the US Green Building Council’s Los Angeles chapter, follows recent news of the project receiving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold v4 certification from […]

ACI World today reiterates its support for cleaner energy sources at the Global Sustainable Aviation Forum, a critical side-event of COP28, organised by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) that reunites key speakers across the aviation sector. Director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, said: “Airports are identifying new opportunities and roles they can play in […]

Airports Council International today officially launched Level 5 certification of its global Airport Carbon Accreditation programme at the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28). Amsterdam Schiphol, Christchurch, Göteborg Landvetter, Madeira, Malmö and Rotterdam The Hague airports are among the first 10 airports on the planet to reach the new highest certification level in the […]

History will be made at London’s Heathrow Airport today when a Virgin Atlantic test flight to New York becomes the first transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The B787 flight, which has been made possible by up to £1 million in funding from the UK government, is seen as a significant step […]

Work to create Scotland’s largest airport-based solar farm is now underway at Glasgow Airport following the successful completion of the development phase of the project. Glasgow Airport, in partnership with energy transition adviser and developer Ikigai Group, has completed the development phase and the subsequent successful financial close for a 19.9MW solar plant with Zestec […]

Airports Council International today reiterated its support for the “visionary International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) goal for sustainable aviation fuel” to come from the Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in Dubai. As reported on Friday, governments from over 100 States, meeting with industry and civil society, have set a goal that […]

The aviation sector has adopted a collective goal to start the shift away from fossil fuels at the third Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), convened at ICAO. Governments from over 100 States, meeting with industry and civil society, have set a goal that aviation fuel in 2030 should be 5% less carbon intensive […]

Airport World rounds-up a handful of the latest sustainability news stories making headlines across the globe. New sustainability milestone for Hyderabad and London Luton Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) and London Luton (have become the latest gateways to achieve Level 4 in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Achieving Level ‘Transition’ status, HYD – operated […]

Munich Airport is intensifying its existing climate targets and now intends to achieve Net Zero by 2035 instead of 2050 as previously intended. Achieving Net Zero means reducing the emissions that the airport itself can influence – known as Scope 1 and 2 emissions – by a minimum of 90%. The remaining around 10% of […]

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in the UK has achieved its highest score to date from The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), achieving a score of 95% and being awarded a 5-star rating. An independent organisation, GRESB provides validated Environmental, Social and Governance data for real estate and infrastructure businesses globally. To achieve a rating, […]

ACI World is to work with global aviation consultancies Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) and To70 on the creation of a global standardised framework for improved airport environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) reporting. The association notes that airports “face the ongoing challenge of investing in infrastructure to meet future air travel demand, while also ensuring […]

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has opened its own concrete recycling plant to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with transporting waste rubble to a facility off-site. The new facility will crush old, used concrete from renovation and maintenance projects to make new concrete or foundation material, in collaboration with Heijmans and VolkerWessels Infra Schiphol. The material will […]

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East today announced the findings of its market research on airport concession business models and non-aeronautical revenues on the opening day of the The Trinity Forum 2023 in Hong Kong. Based on survey feedback from airport operators across the region, the research reveals that airports are giving “noteworthy consideration” to new […]

London Gatwick has achieved Level 4+ ‘Transition’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme – the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports. The global scheme independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through six levels of certification: ‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimisation’, ‘Neutrality’, ‘Transformation’ and ‘Transition’. Level […]

Dublin Airport is targeting an increase in the number of passengers travelling to and from the airport by bus over the coming years. The airport is seeking expressions of interest from bus operators who would like to operate scheduled bus services from the various bus stops outside the two terminals from Spring 2024 onwards. The […]

Global airport operator, Fraport, is gradually converting its fleet of vehicles at Frankfurt Airport to electric drives. Parallel to this, the charging infrastructure at Germany’s largest air traffic hub is also expanding and evolving. For now, it still works conventionally, with current flowing from a charging point into vehicles’ storage batteries. However, Fraport boldly states […]

Associations representing the European aviation sector today adopted a Joint Industry Declaration announcing their intention to make Europe the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world. In line with the EU’s Green Deal objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, and to optimise capacity in the skies, associations representing airlines, airports, […]

Trideep Barau, ABB’s global segment manager for infrastructure, considers the challenge of building and operating greener airports. Over the next decade, hundreds of new airports are planned for the global south, while airports in the global north continue to expand capacity, which poses the question, how are we going to do this and reduce carbon […]

A new solar array which could eventually deliver enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than 17,000 homes has been announced as part of a new joint venture between SSE Energy Solutions and Teesside International Airport in the UK. The first phase of the project is due to enter construction in early 2024 […]

Birmingham Airport’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions fell 25% in 2022/23 compared to the most recent pre-pandemic year of 2019/20, a report published today revealed. While the airport’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2022/2023 showed an increase compared to 2021/22, where COVID-19 forced a 90% drop-off in activity at Birmingham Airport (BHX), the […]

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has released its Sustainability Report 2022/23, outlining the sustainability performance of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2023. The report also highlights the future sustainability plans of AAHK. According to the airport, the key highlights of this year’s edition include: AAHK received an advanced […]

Christchurch Airport’s new approach to minimising waste, and its work mentoring other airports to become more sustainable, has netted two international awards from ACI Asia-Pacific. The airport has won ‘Green Airports Recognition 2023’ and the ‘Airport Carbon Accreditation – Mentor’ awards from the association. The airport’s created a new waste sortation room where a team […]

Officials from Dominion Energy and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) were joined by federal, state and local leaders on Tuesday to break ground on the Dulles Solar and Storage project at Dulles International Airport. Once completed, it will be the largest renewable energy project ever developed at a US airport, capable of generating up […]

The Salt Lake City Department of Airports (SLCDA) has published its annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report for Salt Lake City International Airport. It highlights the airport’s efforts to minimise the negative environmental impact of aviation and adhere to the highest standards in creating a more sustainability airport. Highlights from the report include: Energy Efficiency: […]

Amsterdam Schiphol has announced that it is replacing its fuel generators with 30 new electric Ground Power Units (e-GPUs) and introducing the use of more electric systems that provide fresh air on board aircraft. It notes that these are are important steps towards emission-free ground handling at the airport. According to the airport, aircraft parked […]

The Shannon Airport Group has launched a Biodiversity Action Plan and, as a resut, 30 bat, bird and bee boxes are being erected in the surrounding lands of the Shannon Airport campus to lend a hand to nature. The nest boxes are part of The Shannon Airport Group’s new Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which was […]

Atkins, working with IATA, has created a suite of innovative digital tools for airports that it claims will, for the first time, allow operators to estimate the embodied carbon associated with the construction of terminal buildings and aviation assets. According to the creators, the digital toolkit will enable airports to better understand and mitigate the […]

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) believes that it is well-placed to enter a period of investment and growth, after reporting a positive set of full-year results. In the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023, the UK’s largest airport group recorded a revenue of £1 billion for the first time in its history, as demand […]

Aena has awarded its electricity supply contract to Endesa Energía SAU and Iberdrola Clientes SAU as it steps up its bid to develop solar power installations across its entire airport network. It states that the purpose of the new deals is to carry out the procedures related to the purchase of energy with 100% renewable […]

Spanish airport operator, Aena, has signed a sustainable syndicated credit line (sustainability-linked RCF) for €2 billion, which it says proves its commitment to the environment, social responsibility and good corporate governance. The financing has been granted by 14 national and international financial institutions and has been led by Banco Santander as Arranger and Sustainable Agent. […]

Cork Airport has taken delivery of five new fully-electric, zero-emission vehicles as part of the airport’s commitment to its sustainability strategy. The new additions, which will form part of the maintenance, electrical and airport police fleets, are part of Cork Airport’s ongoing commitment to reducing emissions by 51% by 2030, in line with targets set […]

Amadeus has acquired a minority stake in Caphenia — a future producer of synthesis gas, the feedstock of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — forming part of the technology firm’s commitment to supporting the industry on its journey toward sustainable travel. In just 12 months, this represents Amadeus’ second investment in a company focused on making the […]

Key players in the Australian aviation and green hydrogen industries have today officially launched the Hydrogen Flight Alliance (HFA) at Brisbane Airport. The aim of the alliance is to ensure Australia plays a leading role in the aviation industry’s transition towards net-zero by 2050. The initial focus will be on enabling Australia’s first commercial emission […]

ACI World has welcomed the launch of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Net Zero Roadmaps and calls for continued collaboration of aviation stakeholders in building a sustainable aviation industry. ACI and airports have been leaders in the decarbonisation transformation, being the first to commit to a long-term environmental goal of net zero carbon emissions […]

Pittsburgh International Airport is actively working to cut back aviation-related emissions, through a new partnership with Pittsburgh-based Ecotone Renewables. Joining the airport’s xBridge innovation program, one of the company’s digesters has been stationed outside the landside terminal and nicknamed ZEUS translating as Zero Emissions Upcycling System. Launched in 2020, ZEUS aligns well with the programme […]

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the developer and manager of LaGuardia Terminal B, have revealed that LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B has retained both its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 Gold Certification and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Platinum Envision Award. The Port […]

Hamad International Airport (DOH) is celebrating the UN’s World Environment Day by backing its goal to Beat Plastic Pollution. Today’s event focuses on encouraging people and businesses around the world to review their plastic consumption and introduce a shift towards a circular economy. The Qatari gateway notes that part of Hamad International Airport’s environment sustainability […]

Blueprint Power’s chief technology officer, Nick Schmidt, considers some of the energy monitoring and emissions reducing options open to airports at the beginning of their decarbionisation journeys. Governments and organisations around the world are grappling with energy and sustainability challenges as they try to lessen their environmental impact and support global climate goals and airports, […]

A total of 500 airports across the globe are now certified under ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme having fulfilled the stringent requirements set by its accreditation levels. Launched back in 2009 by ACI EUROPE, with then just 17 trailblazing airports achieving accreditation, the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme has since become the global standard for carbon […]

Global airport operator, Fraport, continues to invest in green wind energy, signing a new Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the European energy services and solutions provider Centrica Energy Trading A/S. The deal will provide Frankfurt Airport with annual wind energy volumes of around 63 gigawatt hours, starting this July. The energy will come from a […]

A consortium led by Glasgow Airport and net zero consulting co-developer, Ikigai, has successfully secured funding from the Scottish Government to test the feasibility of a hydrogen production, storage and distribution hub that would support zero emission flight at the airport. The funding was confirmed by the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, and forms […]

Irish airport operator, daa, has announced proposals for new sustainability measures to incentivise airlines to operate lower CO2 emission aircraft at Dublin Airport. Under the new proposed incentive scheme, a low emissions discount will apply to Dublin Airport’s ultra-low cost aeronautical charges, the lowest of any capital city airport in Europe and the airport operator, […]

Shannon Airport has reached new heights in its sustainability goals after achieving Level 2 ‘Reduction’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme. The accreditation acknowledges the commitment set out in The Shannon Airport Group’s Sustainability Strategy to green its operations and reduce the airport’s carbon footprint. Steps taken by Shannon Airport to achieve Level 2 ‘Reduction’ […]

ACI World has partnered with the Canadian Government, Government of Québec and City of Montréal on a new Sustainability Expansion Plan for Montréal, which will be funded by Montréal International. The plan sees continued investment in Montréal, the world capital of civil aviation, and in the sustainability of airports as essential enablers of economic growth […]

ACI Asia-Pacific and ACI EUROPE have jointly called on India and the European Union (EU) to establish a comprehensive aviation agreement to liberalise traffic rights and boost regulatory alignment, including the acceleration of decarbonisation policies between the two regions. The call was made during this week’s EU-India Aviation Summit organised jointly by the European Commission […]

VINCI Airports has unveiled plans for a 14-hectare solar power plant at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport in France. It will cover 5,800 parking spaces at the airport and become one of the largest shaded power plants in the country. According to VINCI, the new addition will have a capacity of 20MWp and produce 24GWh of green […]

Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) has unveiled its first ever Sustainability Plan 1.0, which it believes demonstrates that it has listened to its neighbours and placed sustainable development at the heart of its mission. And the Canadian airport operator even goes as far as to suggest that it plans go beyond basic considerations to ensure that […]

San Diego International Airport (SAN) has taken delivery of its first shipment of renewable diesel for the fleet of airside vehicles operating at the Californian gateway. San Diego County Regional Airport Authority notes that renewable diesel can reduce emissions by up to 75% or more compared to petroleum diesel. The sustainable fuel is now being […]

VINCI Airports has achieved another sustainability first, with its Portuguese airports all being awarded ACA 4+ ‘Transition’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The certification recognises that the airports have fully accounted and reported direct and indirect CO2 emissions related to their activities and operations, have significantly reduced their direct emissions, offset their residual […]

A year on from the launch of its refreshed sustainability strategy, Heathrow 2.0: Connecting People and Planet, Heathrow’s 2022 Sustainability report updates on the airport’s progress. Over half of the commitments towards net zero aviation and making Heathrow a great place to live and work have been marked as “on track” or “progressing”. In 2022, […]

Hong Kong International Airport has selected SITA to provide a carbon management platform to monitor data on carbon emissions across the airport environment. The move will help the airport track key performance indicators as the airport progresses towards its net zero carbon goal. SITA’s carbon management platform, to be fully deployed by summer 2023, will […]

London Gatwick Airport has today published its financial results for 2022, and recognising the urgent need to make net zero a reality has accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of its previous commitment. This commitment, it says, is aligned with […]

ACI EUROPE claims that the combined efforts of the continent’s airports to reduce their carbon emissions was a highlight of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation annual report for 2021-2022, published today. Indeed, it goes as far as to state that European progress made within the global carbon standard for airports emerged as the standout star. ACI […]

ICF’s vice president, Eliot Lees, and senior consultant, Tod Yankee, consider the reasons why airports should implement green concessions programmes. Ready or not, airport managers are facing a major behavioural shift in consumers making purchases from retail and food and beverage concessions, which has given rise to a whole new discipline – Green Concessions Programming. […]

Fraport has set itself the ambitious new target of aiming to reduce the carbon emissions directly under its control at Frankfurt Airport to 50,000 tonnes by 2030. The new total is 25,000 tonnes less than the previous target announced by Germany’s largest aviation hub. “Aviation needs to make a significant contribution towards protecting our planet’s […]

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has successfully renewed its Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme for another year. The Qatar gateway says that the successful recertification is a reassurance that its carbon management processes and activities have effectively reduced CO2 emissions. During the recertification process, operator, MATAR, was audited by independent third […]

London’s Heathrow Airport has reminded the world about its ongoing ‘green revolution’ as it embarks on the second year of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) incentive scheme. In 2022, Heathrow launched a world first – an airport SAF incentive programme which aimed to cover up to 50% of the extra cost, making the fuel more […]

Zero-emission, hydrogen-powered air travel is the aim of a new partnership between ZeroAvia and Birmingham Airport (BHX). The companies have entered into a long-term partnership to make on-airfield hydrogen refuelling and regular domestic passenger flights of zero-emission aircraft a reality in the coming years. Hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which […]

Christchurch Airport’s renewable energy precinct, Kōwhai Park has taken a giant step closer to reality. After a year-long process, that attracted interest from organisations across the globe, the airport has chosen one of New Zealand’s largest energy companies, Contact Energy, and international solar developer, Lightsource bp, as its partners to deliver phase one of the […]

Finavia has built an underground wetland at Helsinki Airport to improve water management. The project is the first of its kind in the Nordic countries and is designed to improve the condition of streams and other waterways near the airport. “Water management is an important part of our environmental work, and we do our best […]

London’s Heathrow Airport today published its new Giving Back Programme, reasserting its commitment to the local community to make the area a great place to live and work. It is the first comprehensive community investment plan published by the airport, clarifying the various ways it already supports the local community as well as setting out […]

ACI EUROPE president, Javier Marín, last night addressed the specific challenge of the funding required to achieve the airport industry’s net zero carbon targets and compliance with ‘Fit for 55’. Speaking at ACI EUROPE’s annual reception held in the European Parliament in Brussels, Marín, who is managing director of  Spanish airport operator AENA, warned of […]

Munich Airport and Lufthansa have “reaffirmed and strengthened” their successful strategic partnership by signing a letter of intent (LOI) to intensify and continue the sustainable development of Munich Airport. In the LOI, both parties commit to a shared sustainability strategy, to the expansion of Munich Airport as an intermodal transport hub, to the needs-based expansion […]

The standout objective of Finavia’s newly published responsibility programme is to reduce the carbon emissions of Finland’s airports to net zero by the end of 2025. Talking about its new ‘Towards sustainable air travel’ initiative, Finavia’s vice president for sustainability and the environment, Mikko Viinikainen, enthused: “Operations at all our airports have been carbon neutral […]

Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is to implement a cutting-edge, on-site laboratory to perform wastewater surveillance testing at Pearson International Airport. The pilot project, supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, is using partner LuminUltra’s technology to test for the presence of sub-variants of the SARS-CoV-2 […]

Airport World discovers more about SFO’s new Airport Carbon Accreditation status, a climate goals agreement between Hamburg and Christchurch airports, and a handful of other green initatives across the globe. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is celebrating a major sustainability milestone after being awarded Level 4 ‘Transformation’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The […]

Liege has become the first Belgian airport to announce its readiness to accommodate the distribution of sustainable aviation fuel to its airline customers. It notes that in the last few months of 2022, the airport’s fuel storage facilities have been audited and its storage and distribution procedures reviewed to ensure that they are equipped to […]

We review Queen Alia International Airport’s sustainability efforts and pioneering decarbonisation journey in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. A few years after being awarded the 25-year concession to manage the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, Airport International Group (AIG) commenced the airport’s decarbonisation journey. From the outset it was […]

Torino Airport (Turin) has received Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The programme is aimed at airport management companies pursuing carbon neutrality goals by neutralising CO2 emissions under their direct control with energy efficiency programmes and the use of renewable energy sources. The Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ recognises the airport for its greenhouse […]

The UK government has announced that the first ever net zero transatlantic flight will take off next year, with Virgin Atlantic receiving government funding to fly across the pond using solely sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In 2023, one of Virgin Atlantic’s flagship Boeing 787s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, will take off from London […]

London Luton Airport (LLA) in the UK is piloting a new ‘Greener Future’ grant to support local community groups and charities demonstrating a commitment to increasing biodiversity and tackling carbon reduction. Organisations based and working within a five-mile radius of the airport can apply for grants of up to £10,000. The fund will be managed […]

ACI World Business Partner, Assaia, has launched APU Emissions Control to reduce carbon emissions and cuts costs by detecting unwarranted Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) usage at airport gates, and delivering automated real-time alerts and reports. A recent report commissioned by the UK’s Airport Operators Association showed that the largest part of an airport’s emissions come […]

Neste and Airbus have signed an agreement to advance the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within the aviation sector. Both parties are said to share a vision that SAF is a key solution to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions of air travel, and today’s announcement aims to accelerate the aviation sector’s transition to SAF. […]

New analysis from ICF shows that the UK has the necessary Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) feedstocks to meet the 10% UK SAF target by 2030 through UK production, although the industry coalition Sustainable Aviation warns that more government support is needed now to ensure that it happens. It is believed that a UK SAF industry […]

Emma Robinson considers some of the challenges the industry will have to address in order to motivate new talent to enter the airport sector. Iam sure most airport bosses will agree, 2020-22 has been the most difficult period the aviation industry has ever faced, with the travel disruption of summer 2022 primarily mainly due to […]

WSP’s aviation strategy and policy advisor and programme administrator of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, Leonie Dobbie, updates us on the take up, development and evolution of the global initiative. Air travel has become more democratic, morphing towards a one size fits all at costs which are not sustainable, however defined. Until the outbreak of […]

Being one of the world’s most environment friendly and sustainable gateways is a top priority for Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, writes CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar. Airports have always been in the spotlight when it comes to their impact on the environment and the steps taken by them to operate in a sustainable manner, and […]

Birmingham Airport (BHX) in the UK is in the news again today after revealing that it consumed 10% less electricity between April and September 2022 than in the same period in 2019. It says that the reduction was achieved through the use of low-energy options such as LED lighting, smart meters, continual energy-use audits, regular site […]

Adopting ESG reporting and management frameworks for a sustainable future is now a top priority for the world’s airports, writes ACI World’s director for sustainability and envionmental protection, Jennifer Desharnais. Globally, airports have a long history of making commitments and taking direct action to ensure they design, construct, and operate in a way that is […]

ACI World promoted a number of key airport priorities at the 41st ICAO Triennial Assembly, which took place over 10 days in Montréal in late September/early October, 2022. Occurring every three years, ICAO’s Assembly establishes worldwide policy and guides governments’ continuing and future work in civil aviation. The event – which focuses on strengthening the […]

Waste management practices are critical to the sustainability journey of airports, writes Frost & Sullivan’s aerospace and defence research analyst, Abhilash Abraham. The aviation sector’s impact on the environment is under constant scrutiny, partially due to the high volumes of waste it generates and its perceived inability to dispose of or recycle it. Aviation stakeholders, […]

ICF’s Eliot Lees and Yasar Yetiskin explain why airports need to pay attention to and play their part in the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Aircraft emissions represent the single largest source of environment damaging greenhouse gases at an airport. Indeed, while the long-term decarbonisation goals for airports focus on airport infrastructure (Scope 1), […]

Hamburg Airport in Germany and New Zealand’s Christchurch Airport, two airports on the opposite sides of the earth, today announced that that they will pursue their ambitious climate goals together in the future. The airports have liaised with each other for some time as each has taken a pioneering role in aviation’s decarbonisation journey in […]

Shannon Airport Group has launched a new sustainability strategy that it hopes will act as a blueprint to achieve a more sustainable future for the Group, its people, and the community. Initiatives have been devised across four pillars and key initiatives include: Creating sustainability programmes to upskill staff. Developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gas […]

Governments meeting at the 41st ICAO Assembly in Montréal have agreed to adopt the goal of net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050, one of the only global sector-specific climate goals. The goal aligns international aviation with the Paris Agreement and follows a commitment by the industry itself last year and has been warmly […]

Frankfurt Airport operator, Fraport AG, is embarking on another photovoltaic (PV) project at the gateway to increase its proportion of green energy. It has installed a demonstration system of 20 PV panels with an output of 8.4 kilowatts at the southwestern end of Runway 18 West and plans to extend the triple-array PV system along […]

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has renewed its Level 1 accreditation for Carbon Mapping and Stinson Municipal Airport achieved Level 1 status for the first time in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.  “Through teamwork, we successfully achieved this goal,” said San Antonio International Airport’s noise abatement and special projects manager, Joshua Heiss. “Airport Carbon Accreditation […]

ACI EUROPE today officially joined the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation (AZEA), a voluntary initiative spearheaded by the European Commission bringing aviation stakeholders together to prepare Europe for hydrogen and electric flight. The Alliance will build on the findings of the industry-led Destination 2050 roadmap as regards the emission reduction potential of alternative propulsion technologies, notably […]

Airport World reports on a handful of sustainability news stories making headlines across the world this summer. Encouraging progress at ICAO talks in Montréal The aviation industry says progress towards a long-term climate goal for the global air transport sector took a significant step forward at July’s High-level Meetings in Montréal organised by ICAO to […]

On the eve of the 41st ICAO Triennial Assembly, Airports Council International (ACI) is calling on States to adopt an ambitious environmental agreement. ACI World director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, said: “The adoption of an ambitious environmental agreement at the ICAO 41st Triennial Assembly fully aligned with the Paris Agreement and the aviation industry’s […]

Heathrow today invited the SME community to reconnect with its multi-billion-pound supply chain, which it insists can be a part of the airport’s continued recovery, contributing to the local community’s growth and “global Britain’s prosperity”.  The call comes as the airport announced the relaunch of its annual Business Summit. It has been three years since […]

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has become the first gateway in the world to earn airport-wide LEED Platinum certification under the Communities programme developed by the US Green Building Council. While individual buildings at SFO have previously earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status, this latest achievement certifies the entire existing airport campus […]

Two new providers are taking electro-mobility to a new level at Frankfurt Airport, according to the German gateway. The airport notes that the popularity of sharing rental vehicles “is growing fast” as passengers seek alternatives to using their own cars or taking taxis or public transportation to get to and from the airport. As a […]

António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, and Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports, today gathered at Faro Airport to celebrate the centenary of Gago Coutinho’s aerial crossing of the South Atlantic. The event was held in the presence of Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Pedro Nuno Santos, as well […]

It is claimed that a Green Freeport in the North East of Scotland could play a significant role in decarbonising the aviation industry by delivering a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant that would create up to 920 jobs and £133 million in GVA per year. The creation of a SAF facility at St Fergus is […]

The battle to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport in the UK will gather pace tomorrow with a rally attended by staff, union officials, the local MP and Regional Secretary, Hazel Nolan. Wizz Air’s decision to withdraw operations at the airport has led the Board to “reluctantly conclude that aviation activity on the site may no longer […]

Birmingham Airport (BHX) in the UK today published its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions report for 2021/22. The report reveals emissions rose 12% on the previous year, 2020/21, when operations were severely reduced by COVID. Publishing a full GHG emissions inventory covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions is a first for BHX, which notes that […]

ACI is calling for the upcoming ICAO meeting in Montréal to reach an agreement on a long-term aspirational goal for CO2 emissions reductions, aligned with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C goal and the industry objective of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The meeting, due to take place at ICAO’s headquarters next week, will examine the […]

A new PwC report – Road to Jet-Zero – outlines what it claims are the range of support measures needed to ensure that air travel in the UK becomes even more sustainable in the future, ultimately becoming a CO2 free industry. It notes that aviation currently accounts for 7% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. […]

Airport International Group (AIG) has announced that Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport has become the first gateway in the Middle East and one of only 21 in the world to achieve Level 4+ ‘Transition’ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The Amman gateway notes that it was awarded the certificate following a “rigorous review […]

Becoming carbon neutral and looking to increase investment in renewable technologies are two of the improvements Edinburgh Airport has made as it publishes its annual report. The airport’s sustainability report for 2021 comes a year after the launch of its Greater Good strategy and measures progress made against the four pillars contained within. The past […]

Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport today hosted five European flights that between them used a combination of new innovative technologies, fuels and air navigation procedures designed to minimise their carbon emissions. According to ACI Europe, today’s actions show that the potential to transform the environmental impact of the aviation industry exists today. The flights – from Amsterdam, […]

ACI World today published its quarterly assessment analysing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on airports, and it shows that aviation’s rebound from the pandemic is beginning to gather momentum. Indeed, ACI World, reveals that the lifting of many health measures and the relaxation of travel restrictions in many European countries and in the Americas […]

Aviation industry executives met with government representatives in Montréal yesterday to detail industry aspirations for a long-term climate goal to be agreed for the sector at United Nations meetings later this year. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will debate the potential for a goal to decarbonise the air transport sector, with industry supporting a […]

As part of its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, Perth Airport has partnered with Carbon Neutral to offset its bus fleets as well as offering motorists the opportunity to offset their trip to and from the airport when booking parking online. Perth Airport CEO, Kevin Brown, said that Perth Airport has committed to […]

United Airlines has become the first US carrier to make an international purchase agreement for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) after signing a deal with Neste for supplies at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The deal provides United with the right to buy up to 160,000 tonnes (52.5 million gallons) of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ over the […]

Europe’s airports continue to target sustainable growth, with 12 gateways today being recognised for achieving either Level 4 or Level 4+ status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The airports comprise Basel-Mulhouse Airport in France/Switzerland; Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Faro, Flores, Porto Santo, Horta, Santa Maria, Ponta Delgada airports in Portugal; and Stockholm Arlanda and Göteborg […]

Vehicles operating at Edinburgh Airport are now being powered by vegetable oil as the airport continues to look at ways of reducing its emissions. Thirty-four vehicles have made the change from diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) which is a renewable diesel alternative that eliminates up to 90% of net carbon dioxide emissions whilst also […]

The Federal Aviation Administration and US airports have launched an Airport Climate Challenge to help achieve the Biden-Harris Administration goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Airports can take advantage of several FAA funding programmes to meet this goal, including grants for low- or zero-emissions vehicles, renewable energy production, energy assessments and other efforts. The challenge […]

ACI World today released a first of its kind guidance, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Management Best Practice, to help airports define and strengthen their ESG reporting framework to position themselves for future growth. According to ACI World, as airports continue to recover, they are faced with the pre-pandemic challenge of investing in infrastructure […]

Christchurch Airport’s ongoing sustainability achievements have recorded a new milestone – the airport has achieved being beyond carbon neutral, to become climate positive. Its general manager for planning and sustainability, Nick Flack, believes that the move makes his gateway a global leader in the transition of airports and aviation to a lower carbon future. “Achieving […]

At the 2022 ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Conference and Exhibition (RACE) taking place in Palermo, the European airport industry marked a key milestone of more than 200 airports engaged in climate action within Airport Carbon Accreditation. At the latest count, 204 European airports were engaged in climate action at one of the 6 available certification […]

UK airports have lost £10 billion in revenue since the first lockdown in March 2020 and have taken on more than £4 billion in debt, according to new analysis by the Airport Operators Association (AOA). Its new report, Reconnecting the UK: recovering aviation connectivity, shows that 2021 was worse than 2020, with airports seeing the lowest […]

Hamburg Airport has become the first major commercial airport in Germany to achieve CO2-neutral operations according to Airport Carbon Accreditation guidelines. Airport CEO, Michael Eggenschwiler, said that numerous internal measures and woodland projects made the achievement possible. And he stressed that Hamburg Airport is continuously optimising its technical building infrastructure to reduce the gateway’s impact […]

Ryanair today announced its decarbonisation strategy, Pathway to Net Zero, outlining its plans to become carbon neutral by 2050. It says that its new green strategy is based on four core pillars designed to reduce its carbon emissions and the impact of its operations on the environment. It essence, it wants to achieve: • 34% […]

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has signed the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow 2030 Ambition Statement, building on its commitment to sustainability leadership in aviation. As a signatory, BAC has committed to working with more than 100 other airports, airlines, fuel suppliers and industry stakeholders to put the global aviation sector on the path […]

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has announced that its Harvey Milk Terminal 1 has become the first airport terminal in the world to earn ‘Platinum’ certification for using the latest standards from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programme developed by the US Green Building Council. This latest version, known as LEED v4, […]

Shell announced today that it has become the first supplier of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to customers at Singapore Changi. It notes that it has also completed the upgrading of its facility in Singapore which will enable blending of SAF in Singapore. The company believes that its announcement represents a significant milestone for the aviation […]

London City Airport (LCY) in the UK today opened its first electric car charging stations. The airport is initially offering seven new charging stations for use by its passengers, staff and black cab community. LCY says that it wants to play its part in encouraging the uptake of electric car journeys across London and anticipates […]

Milan airport operator, SEA, and Airbus, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the study and implementation of projects for the distribution of hydrogen at Linate and Malpensa airports. Airbus is expected to produce the first hydrogen-powered aircraft around 2035, which SEA claims implies that airports should work on their “readiness” and be prepared […]

Heathrow today unveiled a refreshed sustainability strategy, which it says will play a key role in its development over the decade ahead. It says that ‘Heathrow 2.0: Connecting People and Planet’ outlines how it will build back better with sustainability front of mind as the UK and aviation industry emerges from the pandemic and ramps […]

Irish airport operator, daa, has signed up to the Toulouse Declaration on Future Sustainability and Decarbonisation of Aviation, which was announced on Friday at a European Aviation Summit in France. The declaration recognises the need for immediate action to decarbonise aviation while continuing to improve regional and global multimodal connectivity in Europe and globally. As […]

ACI Europe and IATA are urging Europe’s governments to lift all travel restrictions for fully vaccinated/recovered individuals holding a valid COVID Certificate – as advised by the new regime for travel within the EU which comes into force today. This new regime, set out by an EU Council Recommendation adopted on January 25, is based […]

A new more environmentally friendly energy plant is being put into operation at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport. Using more efficient energy sources and switching from heavy fuels to natural gas, the new heating plant is expected to significantly reduce the Serbian gateway’s carbon footprint. According to operator, VINCI Airports, the plant’s opening is another important […]

The UK government claims that faster, quieter and greener flights are one step closer today thanks to an extra £3.7 million being invested in redesigning the UK’s ‘motorways in the sky’. It says that the funding will support a programme to modernise the UK’s airspace for the first time since the 1950s, “helping the aviation […]

VINCI Airports has assumed responsibility for the operation, development and sustainable growth of Manaus International Airport in Brazil. It will be joined by Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Boa Vista, Cruzeiro do Sul, Tabatinga and Téfé next month as the global airport operator commences its 30 year concession to operate and grow all seven airports located […]

A project is underway to swap out the LED floodlights illuminating Glasgow Airport’s airfield with a more sustainable model that is 25% more energy efficient. Around 75% of the components housed in the outgoing lights will be collected and recycled by a Waste from Electronic and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) company before going back into the […]

Passenger traffic and revenues may still be way down on pre-COVID levels, but airports and airlines continue to invest in new technology, according to SITA’s 2021 Air Transport IT Insights, published today. While IT budgets have stayed largely flat in 2021, the survey suggests that airport and airline CIOs are betting on technology to support […]

Nicky Chenery, general manager of SafetyCulture, and Edinburgh Airport’s security compliance team explain the crucial role technology must now take in managing compliance – and take us through the Scottish gateway’s journey to a more transparent, secure, compliant, and sustainable model. As air travel continues to ride the uncertainty of the pandemic, the demand to […]

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has accepted TAV-led TIBAH’s application to extend its Medinah Airport concession to help it recover from the current downturn in traffic. Medinah Airport welcomed 8.4 million passengers in 2019, the bulk of which were made up of Umrah and Hajj visitors. However, following the introduction of travel […]

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in the UK has become the latest gateway to unveil exactly how it plans to become a net zero airport, boldly aiming to achieve the goal by 2030. LBA’s roadmap to carbon neutrality is focused on emissions that it is directly responsible for and is fully in control of on the […]

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) today unveiled its target and strategy to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, with a midpoint target of 55% reduction of absolute emissions by 2035 from a 2018 baseline. Fred Lam, CEO of operator Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK), said: “Sustainability is at the centre of our long-term development […]

Passengers could one day fly anywhere in the world with no carbon emissions and just one stop on board a concept aircraft unveiled by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) today. It says that up to 279 passengers could fly between London and San Francisco in the US or Auckland in New Zealand with just one […]

Christchurch Airport is committing 400 hectares of its Harewood campus to Kōwhai Park – a new platform for generating renewable energy at scale to enable businesses to transition away from fossil fuels. The pioneering project was launched with New Zealand’s Energy Minister, Megan Woods; Climate Change Minister, James Shaw; and Christchurch mayor, Lianne Dalziel, planting […]

Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) has signed a partnership agreement with SOFIAC to develop a large-scale energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction project. Decarbonisation, the implementation of innovative energy solutions, as well as significant energy cost and consumption reductions are said to be at the heart of the significant project, which will cover all […]

The provisional insolvency administrator for the Frankfurt-Hahn Airport Group has commissioned consultancy firm Falkensteg to look for one or more investors for it or any of its assets, including property. Investors have the option of acquiring all assets, units to be defined or single assets, which include Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. Located in Rhineland-Palatinate, the airport’s facilities […]

ACI Latin America-Caribbean’s director general, Rafael Echevarne, reflects on the impact COVID-19 has had on the region’s airports and the start of the recovery from the global pandemic. How difficult have the last 18 months been for airports in ACI’s Latin America-Caribbean region and have any countries been more impacted by the pandemic than others? […]

A coalition of London Gatwick (LGW), Belfast (BFS) and Edinburgh (YEG) airports and Wizz Air are urging the UK to reinstate the ‘80/20’ ‘Use it or Lose It’ airport slot rules to aid their recovery and ensure a better deal for passengers. They argue that reintroducing the rule now will allow UK consumers to once […]

NAV CANADA has launched a public consultation as the next step in a proposal to introduce airspace enhancements around Toronto Pearson, which are anticipated to have a significantly positive impact on noise and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). The proposed changes, agreed in principle with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), will introduce a modern arrival […]

The soon-to-open new East Wing of Geneva Airport welcomed over 250 delegates this week as it hosted ACI Europe’s 31st Annual Congress & General Assembly, and it proved to be a lively affair, and welcome tonic for many participants, some of which were physically attending their first industry event in two years. The association’s director […]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US is launching a nationwide solicitation to find a new design for control towers that can be built and operated sustainably at regional and municipal airports. “For communities large and small, the air traffic control tower is an icon. We want architects and engineers from every corner of […]

Speaking at ACI Europe’s Annual Congress and General Assembly in Geneva today, president, Jost Lammers, took to the stage with a hard-hitting analysis of the consequences of uncoordinated global travel restrictions, of imbalances in fiscal aid, and the threat to climate action without regulatory support. Addressing the airport community, industry partners and institutional stakeholders present […]

Perth Airport has achieved an overall score of 98% in annual analysis by the Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets (GRESB). GRESB is an international process that rates the environmental, social and governance performance of major infrastructure assets. Perth Airport CEO, Kevin Brown, said that the 98% score was an outstanding improvement over the 76% […]

The first ever departing flight from London Gatwick powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) took off from UK gateway today. It will be the first of 42 flights from Gatwick – the bulk of which will be operated by easyJet – powered by a 30% Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend. This important milestone marks […]

Data collected by the Airport Operators Association (AOA) reveals that airport greenhouse gas emissions in the UK have fallen by 50.6% since 2010, while passenger numbers increased 41.7% over the same period. In 2010, the 18 airports that represented more than 95% of passenger emitted 514,331 tonnes of CO2e that year from sources they controlled […]

Brisbane Airport operator, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), today issued the following statement in response to the announced roadmap to easing travel restrictions in Queensland. The statement, in full, reads: “We’re pleased to see a roadmap to the reopening of Queensland. However, there are elements of it that are of great concern in relation to domestic […]

If it is to be believed, more than 60% of the world’s aviation leaders fear the pandemic will discourage people from joining the aviation sector, according to a new global survey by a specialist transport sector recruitment agency. GOOSE Recruitment says that its ‘Leaders in Aviation Report 2021’ captures the significant demands placed on aviation […]

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) today unveiled its roadmap to net zero carbon emissions, which it claims balances innovative approaches with practical actions that will see the gateway’s operations become net zero by 2030. Earlier this year, YVR was the first airport in Canada to commit to net zero emissions by 2030, accelerating its original climate commitment […]

New analysis outlines credible paths for the air transport sector to reach its updated long-term climate goal to hit net-zero carbon emissions in 2050. A combination of new technology, improvements in operations and infrastructure and a shift to sustainable aviation fuels can help get the sector close to decarbonisation in 2050, with residual emissions being […]

Although light on details, world leaders believe that international travel will be boosted by a series of measures agreed at today’s G7 Transport and Health meeting in the UK. In the first meeting of its kind between G7 Transport and Health Ministers from major global economies, agreement was reached to align their international travel strategies, […]

Aviation’s slow recovery from COVID continues to put at risk up to 44.6 million jobs normally supported by aviation around the globe, according to new industry figures released today at the Air Transport Action Group’s annual Global Sustainable Aviation Forum. Despite a significant recovery in air traffic in some domestic and regional markets, the impact of […]

ACI World has launched comprehensive guidance to help airport executives incorporate sustainability at the core of their strategies as they work towards long-term recovery. The ACI World Sustainable Recovery Best Practice highlights the advantages of incorporating sustainability in recovery plans including access to funding through government relief packages and sustainability-linked bonds, as well as further […]

San Francisco International Airport’s two newest AirTrain stations, constructed at the Grand Hyatt at SFO and Long-Term Parking, have earned Gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programme developed by the US Green Building Council. The two locations were built as part of a project which extended the AirTrain electric people […]

Royal Dutch Shell plc today announced its ambition to produce around two million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) a year by 2025. It also aims to have at least 10% of its global aviation fuel sales as SAF by 2030. “Currently, sustainable aviation fuel accounts for less than 0.1% of the world’s use of […]

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is to use geothermal energy to cool its Jerry E Abramson Terminal in the summer and heat it in winter. Operator, Louisville Regional Airport Authority, yesterday broke ground on the US’s largest airport geothermal project, which will use 648 vertical wells to access the natural energy source found 500ft […]

London Luton Airport (LLA) is calling on the UK government to simplify the rules for international travel and provide extra support for the travel sector after experiencing another difficult summer. The airport welcomed 1.2 million passengers throughout July and August this year, as people travelled to visit family and friends, whilst holidaymakers took advantage of […]

IT provider, SITA, is now officially a CarbonNeutral certified company after achieving the accolade for its sustainability efforts. It says that the milestone – realised a full year ahead of its original target of 2022 – resulted from decisive actions to significantly reduce emissions associated with its business operations in 2020. SITA has reduced its […]

London Heathrow has become the latest airport to invest in an aerated reed bed and wetland technology to manage the glycol run off from its runways, writes Barry Hallam. An organic compound from the alcohol family, glycol is commonly found in antifreeze solutions used on aircraft during the winter months and, without treatment, once used, […]

After a summer of chaotic scenes at the UK’s airports and ever-changing travel restrictions, many in the aviation sector are longing for business to return to ‘normal’ and hankering for the pre-pandemic days, writes Randel Darby, CEO and co-founder at Airportr. However, in my opinion, returning to its old ways, is the worst thing that […]

Dubai Airports has collaborated with the UAE’s Federal Youth Authority (FYA) to create the Dubai Airports Youth Council. Aligned with other top UAE government entities, the DA Youth Council was developed with the vision of the UAE’s leaders in mind and is the latest example of the airport’s commitment to developing the next generation of […]

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) has admitted that implementing a plan to “stabilise the business in the complex and uncertain operating environment created by COVID-19″ was top of the agenda during its last financial year, ending June 30. Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 on the business and the region, QAC Board chair, Adrienne Young-Cooper, noted […]

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is to receive C$57.5 million from the Canadian government to help it complete the rehabilitation of its west runway (Runway 17R/35L). The funding comes under the umbrella of Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, which is specifically designed to ensure that airports complete investments in infrastructure deemed crucial to maintain safety, […]

In announcing a DKK851 million loss before tax for the first half of 2021, Copenhagen Airports today spelt out the harsh realities of the impact of the COVID pandemic on aviation. The loss came as just 1.4 million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in the first half of the year compared to the 14.4 […]

VINCI Airports has added Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport to its global airport network after signing an agreement to resume responsibility for its management, operation and development for the next 15 years from January 1, 2022. All current staff at the French gateway will join the wholly owned VINCI Airports subsidiary handling the Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport concession. […]

The Canadian government has announced that it will provide an additional C$1.167 million in funding to the province of Saskatchewan to ensure that it is able to continue the support of essential air services for remote communities. It notes that the global COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for Northern and remote communities which depend […]

ACI World today released a new tool to assist airports in planning for the return of passengers to their terminals as hopes grow that aviation’s recovery from COVID will gain momentum in the second half of the year. The new Static Capacity Tool – developed by ACI World Business Partner (WBP), Redwater Consulting Group – […]

LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B has been awarded LEED v4 Gold certification for the completed phases of the new terminal, which encompasses the Arrivals & Departures Hall, Eastern Concourse, Eastern Pedestrian Bridge and the Central Heating and Refrigeration Plant. Operator, LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), notes that it makes LaGuardia Terminal B the first airport project in […]

London Heathrow, desperate to speed up the return of safe international travel, today flagged up a new report by the Centre for Economics & Business Research, which claims that aviation needs to be at the heart of the UK’s future economic growth. The new research highlights how the UK could undergo an economic pivot post-Brexit, […]

It might not seem like a priority right now, but ACI World today revealed that more than $2.4 trillion will have to be spent on enhancing the infrastructure of the world’s airports by 2040 in order to meet future demand. The size of the task ahead, which will include modernising existing facilities as well as […]

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of the International Airlines Group, completed its first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) charter chain of 16 flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta last week. Working with their partner Kuehne+Nagel, IAG Cargo sourced 1.2 million litres of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Neste. This collaboration is believed to mark the first […]

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is set to become the first in the world to be powered by its own microgrid fuelled by thousands of solar panels and natural gas from airport land, it is claimed today. World-renowned technology institutions, including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and a host of innovative Pittsburgh-based tech firms […]

Edinburgh Airport today published its new sustainability strategy, which includes plans to build an eleven-acre solar farm on the airfield. The announcement and strategy comes on the same day as the airport confirms carbon neutral status for emissions under its direct control, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future. The solar farm, the first […]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that it is to award $8 billion in grants to “keep US airport workers employed, construction projects going and help US airports recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic”. The funding for the grants comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 President Biden signed into […]

The UK’s leading airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air service navigation providers today reaffirmed their joint commitment to a net zero future for UK aviation, setting out a first set of interim decarbonisation targets that will act as milestones on the path to net zero aviation by 2050. Industry is targeting at least an overall […]

ACI World and the five ACI regions – in collaboration with members – have created a long-term carbon goal for their member airports. The announcement simpy says: “ACI member airports at a global level commit to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and urge governments to provide the necessary support in this endeavour.” Climate […]

Airport World reviews a handful of pioneering new sustainability initiatives and salutes Swedavia for becoming the first operator to achieve Net Zero emissions across its airport network. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has announced the expansion of its industry-leading plastic-free policy to prohibit the sale of any beverages in plastic bottles. In August 2019, SFO […]

Traffic at its airports may be down for now, but a sign of Sweden’s confidence in the recovery of air travel was demonstrated at Göteborg-Landvetter Airport (Gothenburg) this week with the opening of a new 223-room hotel. The airport notes that the addition of the Scandic Landvetter has doubled the number of hotel rooms at […]

ACI Europe has issued a warning to governments about the risk of travellers having to spend hours at Europe’s airports over the summer due to COVID-19 checks. With the on-going and expected further easing of travel restrictions both within Europe and beyond on the back of improving epidemiological situations, Europe’s airports are looking forward to […]

Fraport’s executive board chairman, Dr Stefan Schulte, will reveal the impact of COVID-19 on Frankfurt Airport and the group’s global airport portfolio, and confirm his optimism about aviation’s ability to bounce back, when he addresses shareholders at the company’s virtual Annual General Meeting on Tuesday. Referring to last 12 months as “the most severe and […]

Maryland transportation leaders and BGE officials today unveiled new fast-charging electric vehicle charging stations at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The four new DC fast charging (DCFC) stations, located in the airport’s Cell Phone Lot, will allow motorists to charge their electric vehicles while waiting for airline passengers to arrive at the airport. “This is […]

Eurocontrol, never one to sugar coat matters, today predicted that air traffic in Europe won’t return to 2019 levels until 2024 at the earliest. The bleak scenario is outlined in a new forecast looking at the possible evolution of domestic and international air traffic in Europe over the coming four years taking into account the expected […]

London Gatwick’s revival could generate over 50,000 new jobs and £8.4 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2028 – enough to fund 222,000 primary school places or 70,000 nurses across the region, according to a new economic assessment report. The report, published yesterday, even goes as far to argue that Gatwick’s strong revival is critical […]

Edmonton International Airport (EIA) and Air Canada are signing a new partnership to reduce carbon emissions and advance a green and sustainable aviation sector. The EIA-Air Canada Sustainability Partnership aims to reduce the carbon impact of air travel with both organisations working together to test emerging green technologies at EIA’s Airport City Sustainability Campus, an ecosystem […]

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) in the UK is citing the dramatic fall in Air Passenger Duty revenues as further evidence of the damage to aviation caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. AOA research, based on the latest Air Passenger Duty statistics published by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on April 30, shows the […]

Milas-Bodrum in Turkey has become the sixth gateway in TAV Airports’ global portfolio to receive Airport Carbon Accreditation certification, the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management programme for airports. The self titled gateway to the Turkish Riviera has obtained Level 1 ‘Mapping’ certification in the ACI Europe launched programme. Milas-Bodrum Airport’s general manager, Iclal Kayaoglu, said: […]

Representatives of Prague Airport, CzechTourism and Prague City Tourism have signed a Memorandum on a long-term joint approach to the resumption and expansion of inbound tourism to Prague and the Czech Republic. It is tourism that the parties involved see as one of the preconditions for both economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent […]

TAV Airports today revealed that its global airport network handled 3.3 million domestic and 1.1 million international passengers during the first three months of 2021. The passenger total is 60% down on the corresponding period last year and was accompanied by a 50% drop in revenues. TAV Airports Holding’s executive board member and CEO Sani […]

Working together to safeguard and rebuild the millions of aviation jobs threatened by the global pandemic will play a key role in the aviation industry’s recovery from COVID-19, ACI World director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, reiterated yesterday. Addressing the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit,  in Cancun, Oliveira said air transport remains a […]

Doncaster Sheffield Airport in the UK, which turned sixteen today, has unveiled a new partnership that it hopes will help unlock the economic potential of the area surrounding area. The collaboration, between Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Peel L&P and the University of Sheffield, is set to explore how the parties can work together to catalyse the […]

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Austin Energy are celebrating the completion of a new solar panel array constructed on the airport campus that will produce 1.8 megawatts of locally-generated, renewable energy. The new solar array marks a milestone in both Austin Energy’s Community Solar Program and the Texas gateway’s portfolio of sustainability efforts. The array will […]

The small regional airport of Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region of Central France has become the first airport in country to offer sustainable biofuel to its airlines. The VINCI Airports operated gateway began offering the Air bp manufactured biofuel produced from food oil yesterday, and notes that Michelin Air Services is its first customer. […]

Aviation leaders from across the globe and an impressive 27,000 viewers virtually watched the recent World Aviation Conference (WAC) in South Korea, hosted by Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC). This year’s event was staged a few weeks ahead of the upcoming 20th anniversary of Incheon International Airport, which within five years of its opening was […]

Doha’s Hamad International Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) to improve its waste management. As a result, the airport (DOH) says that it will develop and modernise its facilities by implementing new, more effective methods of waste management. The MoU outlines the collaboration between MATAR […]

An old friend returned to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) today – Southwest Airlines, which is back at the Texas gateway after a 16 year absence. Its return widens the carrier’s footprint in Houston and will provide greater convenience for business and leisure travellers throughout the region, notes Houston Airports. “Welcome back home to […]

Each year airlines begin new sustainability initiatives, experiment with biofuels, and offset their carbon emissions on selected flights; yet, sustainability should not only be a topic of discussion when an aircraft is in the air but also when it’s on the ground. In just one year, a Boeing 777, B787, Airbus A330, and A350, burn […]

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has announced the expansion of its industry-leading plastic-free policy to prohibit the sale of any beverages in plastic bottles. In August 2019, SFO became the first airport in the world to prohibit the provision or sale of single-use water bottles in plastic or aseptic paper packaging. This policy has now […]

Leisure travel in America will push the US domestic airline industry to a COVID recovery by early 2022, according to a new report from consulting firm Oliver Wyman. “A year ago, we would have thought that a full domestic recovery in this timeframe for the US was almost impossible, but the combination of pent-up demand, economic […]

ACI today announced that its world airport COVID-19 health measures data will now be displayed in Apple Maps, making it possible for travellers to more easily access airport health guidance and help prevent the spread of the pandemic. Now iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can simply search for an airport in Apple Maps and find […]

In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to put Net Zero carbon emissions into legislation, writes Atkins’ James Domone and Matt Wills. Aviation currently accounts for 12% of emissions from transport sources (with road vehicles amounting to 74%), and 2% of all global emissions. Refining accounts for 40% of the Green House Gas […]

ACI Europe has welcomed Swedavia’s announcement that all ten of its Swedish airports have achieved Net Zero CO2 emissions across all operations under their control – a world first. Swedavia thus also becomes the first company to deliver on the European airport industry pledge to become Net Zero by 2050 at the latest. Marking the […]

New analysis from ACI World shows that despite some positive signs for recovery emerging, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on airport revenues will still be deeply felt in 2021. According to its Advisory Bulletin: The impact of COVID-19 on the airport business and path to recovery published today, 4.7 billion fewer passengers or 47.5% […]

Hong Kong International Airport is extending its relief package for the airport community for another two months to the end of May 2021, in view of the prolonged impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The continuing waiver or reduction of various fees for the aviation industry from April to May 2021 includes parking charges for […]

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and its airlines have announced that they have “struck an agreement” that they believe will provide the necessary commercial framework for a restart of traffic and the route network at the Danish gateway. The agreement sets out prices and incentives for flying to and from CPH over the coming years following the […]

In a hugely pioneering initiative, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has successfully conducted the trial of digital health passes on a flight between Hong Kong and Los Angeles. It believes the move signifies its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience for passengers under the new normal as a result of COVID-19. Designed to provide […]

ACI World has today published new guidance for airports to help them prepare for restart and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on their operations. As the trajectory of recovery has been affected by new variants of COVID-19 and the new restrictions introduced by governments in response, the second edition of ACI World’s […]

Autonomous vehicle specialist, Aurrigo, has launched the world’s first automated baggage dolly to the market after a successful trial at London Heathrow two years ago. The company was approached by International Airlines Group (IAG) to use its driverless expertise to develop the world’s first autonomous baggage carrying dolly. The trial (pictured above) started in March […]

Oslo Airport has welcomed a new electrically operated de-icing unit, the Vestergaard Elephant e-BETA, for the final few weeks of winter. In a first of its kind trial in Europe, the airport believes that the Menzies Aviation operated vehicle will improve the performance of its aircraft de-icing operation and lower its carbon footprint. Indeed, initial tests […]

London Heathrow today revealed that the airport lost £2 billion in 2020 as its passenger numbers slumped from 80.9 million in 2019 to just 22.1 million last year. It notes that the “devastating impact of COVID-19” led to its overall revenue plummeting 62% to £1.2 billion and adjusted EBITDA falling to £270 million. The UK […]

Zurich Airport’s new 30,000sqm multi-purpose complex, The Circle, features over 30,000 components installed by Siemens that ensure that it is one of the most sustainably designed and energy efficient buildings in Switzerland. The new facility is expected to become one of the most popular attractions at the gateway due to its host of shops, restaurants, […]

Passenger traffic and revenue at Europe’s airports this year is likely to be around 30% to 50% down on 2019 levels, according to a new report by S&P Global Ratings. The global ratings agency’s forecast is based the new travel restrictions implemented to curb the spread of fast-spreading COVID-19 variants, which it claims have “dealt […]

LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) has announced the elimination of single-use plastic straws in the F&B outlets at New York LaGuardia’s Terminal B. LGP is the manager and developer of Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport, and this move comes as part of its commitment to creating a terminal that combines the best of what New York […]

Air travel has undoubtably been one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. With flight cancellations, grounded fleets and border closures, IATA has estimated that airlines will lose more than $300 billion due to the outbreak. Across the industry, there have been unparalleled job cuts from major airlines across the globe, while the European […]

Miami International Airport has been awarded $39.5 million in COVID-19 relief funding from the federal government, in the second round of airport grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The second grant follows $207 million in funding that MIA received last April from the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant […]

Europe’s aviation sector today unveiled its flagship sustainability initiative, Destination 2050 – A Route to Net Zero European Aviation. Driven by a new, independent report, it is said to provide a vision and path for meaningful CO2 emission reduction efforts in Europe and globally. This follows recent climate commitments announced by the sector last November in […]

Finnish airport operator, Finavia, and Napapiirin Energia ja Vesi (Neve) have entered into an agreement on the heating of Rovaniemi Airport with carbon-neutral district heating. “Our objective is to achieve zero net emissions in 2030, and we continue on our journey towards emissions-free airports,” enthuses Finavia’s senior vice president for infrastructure, sustainability, safety and compliance, […]

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in the UK is set to become the first regional gateway in the country to have its own hydrogen refuelling station which it will use to power its fleet of ground support vehicles. ITM Power, the largest operator of Hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK, is partnering with Leeds Bradford on […]

Rotterdam The Hague Airport, SkyNRG and Climeworks claim that they are taking the next step in realising Zenid – a demonstration plant producing fully circular sustainable aviation fuel directly from air. Global energy company Uniper has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support Zenid with engineering and operating expertise. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from […]

The UK government has unveiled plans to give airports in England up to £8 million each to help get them through the next few months as COVID-19 continues to bring traffic to a virtual standstill across the globe. Under the government scheme opening today, commercial airports and ground handlers could receive a maximum of £8 […]

Munich Airport today unveiled the latest new addition to its ground handling fleet, an electric powered tug capable of towing wide-body aircraft and achieving a maximum speed of 32 kilometres per hour. Used for de-icing and aircraft towing at Munich Airport, the gateway’s new aircraft tow tractor is equipped with the latest 700V lithium-ion battery […]

Duncan Hand, Siemens’ business development manager for digital airports, considers how aviation can navigate its way through today’s turbulence. In the last 15 years, we have witnessed the disruption of many industries. The hotel industry by Airbnb, transportation by Uber and retail by Amazon. The aviation industry has now been disrupted by a virus. What […]

Aviation faces a slow and uncertain recovery in 2021 and, without government policy support and assistance, continues to face potential collapse, ACI World warned today. ACI World’s most recent COVID-19 impact analysis revealed the global airport industry experienced a reduction of more than six billion passengers by the end of 2020, representing a decline of […]

​​​​​A consortium led by Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded an industrial research grant by the UK Government to look at the feasibility of introducing an air taxi service using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The project is specifically looking at the possibility of introducing the new air taxi […]

The new terminal at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport certainly has the ‘wow’ factor based on the early feedback from passengers and staff. “Really beautiful”, “Fabulous and spacious”, “Absolutely awesome” and “It looks like a world class airport” were just some of the comments given by passengers on the new terminal’s opening day last month. […]

Vienna Airport is optimistic that its passenger numbers will enjoy a “strong upswing” in the second half of the year as the vaccination drive to combat COVID-19 begins to have a positive impact on air travel. Like most other airports, the Austrian gateway experienced a grim 2020 with the pandemic causing traffic levels to decline […]

The world’s biggest airport group comprising gateways operated by France’s Groupe ADP and Turkey’s TAV Airports have signed an ‘Airports for Trust’ charter, announcing their shared ambition to build an even more sustainable and responsible airport industry. The airports span the world and range from hubs like Paris CDG in Europe to Queen Alia in […]

The Emirates Group today rolled out a COVID-19 vaccination programme for its substantial UAE based workforce in co-ordination with the Dubai Health Authority and the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The inoculation drive began this morning, with priority being placed on its frontline aviation workforce, including cabin crew, flight deck and other operationally focused roles. […]

ICAO has revealed that airline seating capacity fell by around 50% in 2020 as the number of passengers boarding flights dropped from 4.5 billion in 2019 to just 1.8 billion passengers last year. That adds up to a staggering financial loss to the industry of around $370 billion, says ICAO, which noted that airports and air […]

Most frequent fliers are already familiar with the concept of offsetting the climate emissions caused by their travel, writes, Eron Bloomgarden. At checkout, you are offered the opportunity to balance your portion of the flight’s emissions by supporting some sort of emission reduction programme, like tree planting. Such programmes are voluntary and have proved popular […]

Rome’s Fiumicino and Ciampino airports have become the first in the world to successfully complete the new Airport Health Measures Audit Programme. Developed by ACI and Bureau Veritas, the programme is designed to support the airport industry’s recovery from COVID-19 by addressing specific risks and reassuring passengers through an on-site audit. Fiumicino and Ciampino – […]

New analysis from EUROCONTROL reveals that COVID-19 led to a staggering €56.2 billion in net losses for Europe’s airlines, airports and air service navigation in 2020. The losses are a result of 1.7 billon fewer passengers and 6.1 million less flights than in 2019, with traffic between Europe and the rest of the world down […]

Dublin Airport will end a difficult year on a high after attaining carbon neutral status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The gateway is the first airport in Ireland to achieve carbon neutral status and has done so following an extensive programme of activities to reduce and offset its carbon emissions in recent years. The […]

ACI Europe’s latest traffic analysis shows that 6,000 air routes previously operated from Europe’s airports have been lost to the COVID-19 crisis. The routes, which have been axed by the airlines this year and not resumed, expose “the systemic collapse of the aviation network and air connectivity due to the COVID-19 crisis,” according to ACI […]

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s environmental efforts include becoming a carbon neutral airport by 2030 and now turning used cooking oil from its F&B outlets into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). DFW recently set the ambitious goal of reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. To achieve this, the Texas gateway looked at its waste […]

Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, has secured a €49 million loan from the Nordic Investment Bank to help it through COVID-19. The seven-year SEK 500 million loan agreement is a COVID-19 response loan aimed at facilitating financing for industries heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. “The loan helps to further strengthen our liquidity at a time […]

ACI World has published its fifth COVID-19 economic impact analysis revealing the devastating effect on the airport industry and the prospects for recovery. The Advisory Bulletin, The impact of COVID-19 on the airport business, reveals the global airport industry will record a reduction of more than six billion passengers by the end of 2020 compared […]

Aviation provides huge benefits to society, but the industry has recognised the importance of reducing carbon emissions and together have agreed a number of low carbon goals, writes Gigi Yuen, Air bp’s global carbon neutral leader. These include carbon neutral growth from 2020, and halving total carbon emissions by 2050, relative to 2005 levels. There […]

London City Airport today published its new master plan which sets out the long-term vision for how it can grow in a sustainable and responsible way, supporting London’s recovery from COVID-19. The publication of the master plan follows a 16-week consultation carried out in summer 2019. All comments received from local residents, stakeholders and passengers […]

US firm Surfacedesign has won an award for its landscape architecture and urban planning for Auckland International Airport in New Zealand. “Because 75% of New Zealand’s visitors land in Auckland, airport management wanted to highlight the country’s historic land-use practices at and around the terminal,” says the San Francisco based company’s co-founding partner and Auckland […]

SITA’s vice president for border management, Jeremy Springall, explains how technology will play a key role in aviation’s recovery from COVID-19 by helping protect ‘travel bubbles’ from popping. In 2020, new vocabulary has seeped into the global consciousness. From ‘new normal’ to the more practical, yet equally disliked, ‘social distancing’, the additions to this year’s […]

London City Airport (LCY) today announced TIPA as the winners of its Sustainable Security Bag Challenge. According to the airport, TIPA were able to provide it with a product made from fully transparent materials, aligned to regulatory standards, and can be composted at home by London City passengers or disposed as food waste at the […]

ACI World has signed an exclusive partnership with Routes that is designed to help airports recover from the most challenging period the aviation industry. It is hoped that the formal agreement between the two organisations will provide platforms and guidance for airports at a world level, recognising the vital role they will play in driving […]

Christchurch Airport has taken a major step forward in its commitment to fight against climate change, becoming the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world to reach Level 4 Transformation status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. The New Zealand gateway believes that the high achievement is evidence of its continued efforts […]

A handful of architects and consulting companies consider how COVID-19 will impact on the use and future design of airport terminals. Architect: Ricondo Risk, resilience and flexibility Airport operators are looking to the industry for guidance on how future best practices will evolve to promote increased passenger safety, maintain operational efficiency and capacity, and accommodate […]

ACI World’s senior director for sustainability, environmental protection and legal affairs, Juliana Scavuzzi, explains why sustainability and environmental protection must remain a priority despite today’s challenges. The aviation sector is currently facing two major challenges: to navigate and survive the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 in the short-term; and, to keep its long-term commitments regarding climate […]

ACI Europe president, Jost Lammers, has acknowledged that emerging news of an effective vaccine gives reason for hope. However, this cautious optimism was delivered with a caveat – that airports along with the rest of the aviation sector cannot simply wait out the inevitable time challenges of safety confirmation and herd immunity. Delivering his keynote […]

ACI World today issued a timely reminder that sustainability should be at the core of the recovery plan for aviation, noting that climate change is a global challenge that requires worldwide collaboration and action. A resolution issued by the ACI World Annual General Assembly emphasises that climate change, adaptation, and resilience should be included in […]

Airport World shines the spotlight on a handful of pioneering sustainability initiatives in the UK, US and Germany. In the UK, AGS Airports is trialling the use of oxo-biodegradable 100ml security bags at Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports and believes the move could remove more than two million single-use plastic bags annually across the group. […]

ACI World has issued a resolution at is World Annual General Assembly declaring that airport slot allocation policies should support the recovery of air transport. Airport connectivity, it notes, is essential for the recovery of air transport, and will be a key driver of the wider global economic recovery, which is why it is urging […]

ACI World’s economics director, Patrick Lucas, considers the financial challenges facing airports and the policy levers needed to support aviation’s recovery amidst the pandemic. Airports are an integral part of the aviation ecosystem, but they currently face a crisis that they are not financially set-up to experience: a sudden and prolonged collapse in traffic levels. […]

The three global airline alliances, oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance, have joined ACI World in announcing their support for ICAO’s second-phase Council on Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) report. The airline groups are urging governments to implement the report guidelines for passenger testing protocols, as well as the adoption of digital health pass technology, so […]

ACI Asia-Pacific welcomes the implementation of a quarantine-free air travel bubble between Hong Kong SAR and Singapore. It claims that the arrangement, open to all types of travellers, is a much-needed progressive step towards recovery of the sector. “This first-of-a-kind arrangement is a leading example of a risk-based approach that balances the risk of virus […]

What lessons in responsiveness and resilience can airports, airlines and architects draw from the current crisis? Robert Chicas, HOK’s senior principal and director of aviation + transportation, investigates. It’s impossible to overstate the impact COVID-19 has had on the aviation industry. At the time of writing, the virus has resulted in the cancellation of 7.5 […]

The Canadian government has revealed that it is developing a package of assistance to help the nation’s airlines, airports and aerospace sector through the COVID-19 crisis. “A strong and competitive air transport industry is vital for Canada’s economy and the wellbeing of Canadians,” reads a statement issued by Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, […]

Amadeus Airport IT’s senior vice president for strategy and marketing, Iyad Hindiyeh, explains why he believes we should be preparing for the ‘uberization’ of airport services. Over the past decade the way we communicate, shop, get around and are entertained has arguably been transformed by a handful companies such as Uber, Amazon, Facebook and Netflix. […]

Dublin Airport’s Terminal 1 is to undergo a major facelift under plans that have been lodged with Fingal County Council. The core façade and the roof of the terminal are to be replaced with a new modern, energy efficient structure that will completely transform the external appearance of Terminal 1 and give it a new […]

The COVID-19 pandemic is without doubt the worst crisis the aviation industry has ever faced and could permanently change the way we travel, writes Armando Brunini, CEO and general manager of SEA Milan Airports. Like other airport operators, SEA Milan Airports, responded to the pandemic by implementing a number of measures aimed at safeguarding the […]

ACI Europe today warned that 193 of the continent’s airports face insolvency in the coming months if passenger traffic does not start to recover by the year end. These airports are estimated to support 277,000 jobs and €12.4 billion of Europe’s GDP. According to ACI Europe, unless governments step up and provide support now, Europe […]

Cambodia’s three international airports have once again demonstrated their green credentials by upgrading their status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme to Level 2 – Reduction. Launched in 2009, the independently administered and verified programme has four levels of certification – Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality, the latter being the ultimate goal for Phnom Penh, […]

In normal times, Louisville’s airports are responsible for some 82,723 jobs across the region and have an annual economic impact of around $10.4 billion, according to their latest economic impact survey. Key drivers of the local economy, the Kentucky city’s airports – Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU) – also usually […]

Global operator, TAV Airports, today revealed that three of its airports have been certified under ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme and that they will soon be joined by another eight. Ankara Esenboğa in Turkey, Skopje in Macedonia and Zagreb in Croatia have already received their certification. While Izmir Adnan Menderes, Gazipasa-Alanya and Milas-Bodrum in Turkey; […]

Cork Airport’s managing director, Niall MacCarthy, has admitted that Ryanair’s decision to close its base at the airport this winter is a major blow for the Irish gateway. “The team here at Cork Airport is really devastated to hear of Ryanair’s decision to close its base at Cork with the loss of so many direct […]

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is to form its own IT company to sell digital services to airports worldwide. Operator, Copenhagen Airports, has joined forces with Netcompany to form Smarter Airports A/S, which it says will be 100% dedicated to developing a new, market-leading digital platform for the efficient and sustainable operation of the airports of the […]

Washington DC airport operator, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, is implementing a new sustainability plan designed to improve its facilities environmentally, operationally and financially. Developed in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, it reveals that the plan is the result of a year long effort to interview stakeholders and analyse operations at Washington National, […]

Doha’s gateway to the world has become the first in the world to achieve independent verification from BSI (British Standards Institution) for its implementation of ICAO’s COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocols. The verification for Hamad International Airport (HIA) was conducted following its successful audit for compliance of measures outlined by the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery […]

In new analysis released today, the aviation sector details how it can meet its climate goal of cutting CO2 emissions in half by 2050, compared with 2005. It also highlights that net-zero emissions from air transport across the global could be achieved a decade or so afterwards. The plan will rely on a significant shift […]

Quito International Airport continues its recovery from the worst of COVID-19, welcoming back a significant number of international and domestic flights since resuming operations this summer. Between them Avianca, LATAM and Aeroregional have resumed services to eight domestic destinations – Guayaquil, Cuenca, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Manta, Loja, El Coca and Santa Rosa. While its international route […]

Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton have become the first airports in the UK to trial a new Oxo-Biodegradable 100ml security bag. All three are operated by AGS Airports Ltd, which believes that the new, free, bags will now remove more than two million single-use plastic bags each year across the group. The technology involved ensures the […]

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has announced the implementation of a Clean Construction Program, which it claims is one of the most ambitious programmes of its kind among US transportation agencies as it is designed to reduce carbon emissions throughout the design and construction processes. This important measure ensures that […]

Stockholm Aranda Airport has received a delivery of 210 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from fuel products supplier, Air bp. Purchased by Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, and its partners SOS Alarm, Systembolaget and the 2030 Secretariat, the fuel is part of an initiative to promote the large-scale production of SAF and its use as […]

Over 20 travel and tourism bodies as well as unions across Europe united today in an unprecedented call for European Commission leadership to replace quarantine restrictions with an EU Testing Protocol for Travel in a bid to save the livelihoods of more than 27 million Europeans who work in the sector. In an open letter […]

A new 10 MW solar energy farm is taking shape at Melbourne Airport, which is set to produce enough clean energy to provide power to all four passenger terminals. The renewable solar farm will generate 16.8 GWh of electricity every year, which is almost 15% of the airport’s annual consumption needs. Once live in January […]

Aviation has many benefits for our world. Arguably, no other industry has done more globally to connect people, power economies, and enable progress than aviation. For each new generation thus far, aviation has opened new frontiers and created new opportunities for connecting people and ideas. Right now, the aviation industry is working to recover from […]

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has become first airport in the world to purchase and deploy the Xenex LightStrike robot to help it combat COVID-19. The Texas gateway is confident that the locally made machine’s ultraviolet (UV) room disinfection technology will eliminate SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19. “The health and safety of our […]

Ontario International Airport (ONT) “experienced significant growth” in commercial air freight shipments in the first five months of 2020 as consumers and businesses increasingly relied on e-commerce sources for household goods and personal protective equipment as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. The assessment from Fitch Ratings notes that ONT and Alaska’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International […]

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has won ACI-NA’s Environmental Achievement Award for Environmental Improvement with Limited Resources for the airport’s updated Master Plan. The updated plan was released in November 2019 after a two year public consultation and stakeholder engagement programme and focuses on areas such as infrastructure requirements, activity forecasting, environmental initiatives and future planning. […]

Munich Airport (MUC) has introduced a A CO2-neutral passenger bus with an innovative drive concept as it strives to reduce its carbon emissions and become an ACI NETZERO gateway by 2050. The bus has been fitted with a generator-electric drive, developed by Rohrbach-based start-up CM Fluids, that has allowed it to be converted so that […]

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) today announced that its relief package for the airport community will extend for another two months to end of October 2020 in view of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic and continuing political unrest in Hong Kong has had a huge impact on traffic at Hong […]

London City Airport has decided to temporarily pause its Capital Development Programme (CADP) at the end of the year upon completion of new aircraft stands, a full-length parallel taxiway and new passenger facilities. Since recommencing commercial flights on June 21, the airport has welcomed back four airlines, including its home-based carrier, BA City Flyer, and […]

Saskatchewan’s Moose Jaw Municipal Airport is to receive a C$2.1 million cash injection from the Canadian province and federal government to enhance its airfield and help its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will pay for the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing runway and taxiway, ultimately allowing the gateway to accommodate larger planes, […]

Salvador Bahia Airport’s sustainability success has led to the Brazilian gateway becoming a case study for students taking sustainable air transport management courses at the ITAéria Business School in Spain. The airport was recognised as the most sustainable airport in Brazil in 2019 by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the accolade brought it […]

Anaerobic digestion can help airports become more environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint, writes the World Biogas Association’s Jocelyne Bia. As countries prepare for a post COVID-19 recovery, aviation will resume, and the industry will once again be questioned about its impact on the environment and called upon to reduce its carbon footprint. Many […]

ACI World has today launched the Airport Health Accreditation programme to assist airports by assessing new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic against global standards. As airports around the world begin to restart and then prepare to sustain continuing operations they are, of course, focused on the health and […]

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is urging governments to ease what it claims are “unduly onerous restrictions on international air travel” to re-establish global connectivity with evidence-based measures to safeguard public health. More than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asia Pacific air transport industry notes that it is taking initial steps […]

The development of airport cities can help future-proof airports post COVID-19, according to a white paper issued today by consultants, NACO. The white paper reports that, with almost 90% of airports revenues being passenger-related, there is a clear need for airports to diversify their revenue streams in order to reduce both revenue volatility and the […]

Lufthansa Consulting’s Catrin Drawer and Andreas Jahnke consider what the impact of COVID-19 is likely to be on the investment appeal of airports across the globe. Does COVID-19 mean that airports have finally lost their mantra of being a safe, long-term investment opportunity for investors? The short answer is ‘no’, because airport investments have never […]

Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is welcoming a new large-scale investment that it claims will create the largest airport-based solar farm in the world. According to the Canadian gateway, Airport City Solar will dramatically transform the west-side of EIA’s lands, create jobs and bring in a potential new power source for airport operations and the Edmonton […]

Edmonton International Airport’s Airport City continues to grow with the news that manufacturing company, Plant Plus, will shortly become its newest tenant. The company specialises in making plant fibre polymer tech (PFP tech) products such as cups, straws and mobile phone cases that are recyclable and compostable alternatives to plastic or paper. According to Edmonton […]

Collaboration and co-operation will prove key to overcoming COVID-19 although aviation potentially faces a long road to recovery, writes Inderjit Singh. Aviation is one of the most important pillars of the global economy as the sector provides millions of jobs across the world and contributes heavily to its GDP. It is also a survivor, as […]

COVID-19 is massively affecting airfields around the world and of every size, from the mega-hub airports to tiny airfields on Scottish islands and (potentially even) urban air mobility terminals. Demand for passenger aviation had been growing consistently year-on-year, but passenger numbers are currently reduced by over 90%. This year the situation is likely to remain […]

ACI World has today called for urgent government assistance and relief for airports to underpin the operational restart of the aviation industry and sustain their long-term industry recovery. It notes that the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the industry and broader economy has halted the airport industry at global level, potentially losing them 4.6 billion passengers […]

Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, has received a SEK3.15 billion cash injection from the government to help it survive the COVID-19 crisis. Swedavia says that the “contribution” from its shareholder, which amounts to around €300,000, will secure the “financial position” of the state owned company. “We welcome our owner’s support in a very difficult situation. Society […]

Amsterdam Schiphol today confirmed that it is still looking at introducing a revolutionary ‘Hyperloop’ ground transport link in the future. The new transport system essentially involves pods capable of holding people, freight and cars being transported at super high speeds inside sealed tubes, that theoretically make it possible to travel hundreds of kilometre distances in […]

Frankfurt Airport is set to turn to wind power to provide the bulk of its electricity as part of its ongoing commitment to meeting its climate protection targets. Operator, Fraport AG, has revealed that it intends to agree upon an annual minimum purchase quantity with the operator of an offshore wind farm from no later […]

ACI Europe reports that Europe’s airports continued to be at an almost complete stand-still during the month of May, with passenger traffic an alarming 98% down on the same period last year. As a result, only 4.3 million passengers travelled through the European network of 500+ airports in May, compared to 216.8 million last year. […]

Irish airport operator, daa, today revealed that it is currently losing €1 million per day and has lost an estimated €160 million in turnover so far this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that it has operations in 16 countries and that the global pandemic has affected all of its businesses, “which […]

The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) claims to have identified more than $31 billion in rehabilitation and maintenance projects at 46 US airports, based on responses to one of its surveys conducted earlier this year. In February, it released an updated report providing an overview of more than 100 airports’ upcoming capital development spending needs through […]

Airport World turns the spotlight on the green initiatives of three North American airports – Québec City Jean Lesage (YQB), San Diego (SAN) and Vancouver (YVR). YVR’s ambitious new Environmental Management Plan Vancouver International Airport’s 2020-2024 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlines the gateway’s commitment to become carbon neutral in 2020 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions […]

Istanbul’s new $10.2 billion airport has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Build Council (USGBC). The award recognises the sustainability efforts that went into designing and constructing the airport’s terminal, which becomes the largest LEED certified building in the world. Commentating on award, Kadri Samsunlu, CEO and director general at İGA Airport […]

ACI World and the IATA have called on governments to ensure that any new measures introduced for airports and airlines in the wake of COVID-19 are supported by scientific evidence and are consistent across the world. The aviation sector has been brought to a standstill and a balanced and effective restart and recovery depends on […]

According to a new survey by the country’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), Salvador Bahia Airport is the most sustainable gateway in Brazil. Salvador Bahia, part of the VINCI Airports’ network of airports, has been recognised by ANAC for its waste management; energy efficiency; solid waste management; and efforts to protect local wildlife and flora […]

ACI Europe today warned that the continent’s airports are “on their knees” and facing irreversible consequences unless air travel can restart, in a COVID-19 safe way, this summer. The warning follows a 98.6% drop in passenger numbers in April, when just 2.8 million people passed through Europe’s 500+ airports. “Europe’s airports are on their knees. […]

The associations of the world’s airports and airlines today joined forces to urge governments to act swiftly with financial grants to help keep their members survive the coronavirus crisis. ACI World and IATA believe that financial aid is vital to assist airport operators and airlines during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, and support the essential connectivity […]

Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, has furloughed 2,100 staff and is reviewing its investment programme in response to the dramatic fall in passenger traffic since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. It notes that although 6.6 million passengers passed through its airports in Q1 2020, traffic has come to a virtual standstill since the second half of […]

Amsterdam Schiphol and its partners have begun what it is calling a sustainable aircraft taxiing trial using a vehicle known as a ‘taxibot’. Belonging to Smart Airport Systems and one of only ten in the world, Schiphol’s taxibot is powered by a hybrid combination of electric and diesel engines that is expected to reduce airline […]

NACO’s Vivek Sindhamani and Peter Vorage discuss the growing threat of flooding to airports and how some major hubs are planning ahead to increase their resilience to rising water levels. During the past five years, over twenty major, and many more small-island airports, have flooded due to extreme rainfall events or storm surges in combination […]

ACI Asia-Pacific believes that passenger numbers across the region have hit “rock bottom” based on new traffic figures that show a 95% decrease in throughput at 18 of the region’s busiest airports. The year-on-year traffic figures are for airports in the major aviation markets of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. According to ACI Asia-Pacific, initial […]

Karl Lyndon, global aviation sector leader at integrated engineering consultancy, BuroHappold, explores the growing focus on greening airport terminal buildings. The aviation sector has been attracting a lot of attention recently – and not all of it for the right reasons. The new trend of ‘flight shaming’ in a bid to discourage air travel and […]

Spotlight on LAX’s handling of aviation’s most eco-friendly commercial flight, Gatwick reducing its noise footprint and the recycling efforts of Detroit Metropolitan. LAX makes history on World Environment Day Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) claims to have welcomed the most eco-friendly commercial flight in aviation history on World Environment Day. Operator, Los Angeles World Airports […]

Air Transport Action Group’s executive director, Michael Gill, encourages airports to be more vocal in promoting their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. The global aviation industry has one of the clearest and most wide-ranging climate action plans of any sector. By 2050, we aim to cut net CO2 emissions from our operations in flight […]