The institutionally endorsed programme independently assesses and recognises airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions. It certifies airports at 4 different levels of accreditation (‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimisation’ and ‘Neutrality’). Several prominent European airports have just achieved certification within the programme for the first very time, including Geneva Airport and Rome-Leonardo da Vinci Airport (both at the ‘Optimisation’ level of certification) and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (at the ‘Mapping’ level).

Recent renewals within the programme include Stockholm-Arlanda and Bromma airports in Sweden at the ‘Neutrality’ level, alongside Avinor’s Trondheim Airport and Italy’s Milan-Linate and Milan-Malpensa.

The busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, BAA’s London-Heathrow has just achieved the ‘Optimisation’ level of certification for the second year running.

Other well-known airports which have successfully renewed at the ‘Reduction’ level include Athens International Airport, Brussels Airport, Farnborough Airport, Kristiansand Airport, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly. Finally, Ankara-Esenboga Airport, Bologna Airport, Istanbul-Ataturk and Shannon Airport have retained their status at the ‘Mapping’ level.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented “Accredited airports now number 46 and span 17 countries. Those airports also account for 49% of European passenger traffic. Their focus on lowering their carbon footprint is making serious headway, as the number of airports certified at each of the various levels of the programme attests. While other industries are still only coming up with ideas and
commitments, airports are charging ahead, making a tangible difference.”

For further information on the Airports Council International and their environmental efforts, visit Airports Council International. To read up on previous articles on the Airports Council International and carbon accreditation , see 20th ACI World Annual General Assembly.

Source: ACI Europe

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

‘The new report summarises the knowledge we have amassed over the last five years in our work to analyse and improve the airport’s air quality. The report indicates that our main challenge is basically fine particles”, said Kristian Durhuus, COO of CPH, continuing: ‘Going to work at Copenhagen Airport should not make you ill, and we are doing everything in our power to minimise the health impact of the air pollution you may be subjected to when working in the vicinity of aircraft and vehicles.”

Copenhagen Airport commissioned the National Environmental Research Institute, now Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE), to measure and analyse air pollution at the Copenhagen Airport site from 2009 to 2011. DCE’s final report confirms the findings of earlier subreports, demonstrating that the concentration levels for the majority of the components of air pollution examined are below the threshold values. The only exception is the number of particles (fine particles), which is at a level three times above that at H.C. Andersen’s Boulevard, one of Copenhagen’s most congested thoroughfares. There are no threshold values for fine particles. The study indicated that the main sources of air pollution are handling vehicles, the aircrafts’ main engines and auxiliary power units (APU).

No miracle solutions
‘Unfortunately, there are no miracle solutions that will eliminate airport air pollution with a single stroke, but we have launched a number of initiatives to reduce particle pollution. They focus mainly on introducing more so-called “green equipment”, such as vehicles fitted with particle filters and various types of electrically powered equipment”, explained Kristian Durhuus.

Specifically, the airport has recently acquired new electrically powered mobile power supplies for aircraft (GPUs), which were previously diesel powered, and polluting equipment is being phased out in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

International focus
Copenhagen Airport’s regular publication of DCE’s measurement results has helped create unprecedented international attention to the issue of fine particle pollution at airports, and Copenhagen Airport will therefore seek to ensure that the international work in this area is strengthened, possibly in collaboration with other European airports.

‘The international focus on this problem is likely to benefit our work. It means that we will no longer be working alone, but that we will hopefully be able to collaborate with colleagues to create a more broadly-based international knowledge base”, said Kristian Durhuus.

Copenhagen Airport has worked on analysing and reducing airport air pollution since 2007 in collaboration with, among others, the airport’s handling companies and the trade union 3F. Most recently, Copenhagen Airport has established collaborations with the Occupational Medicine Clinic at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen on an in-depth examination of the working environment and with the Danish Working Environment Authority on tightening up Copenhagen Airport’s existing action plan.

For further information on CPH and their environmental efforts, visit the Copenhagen Airports website. To read up on previous articles on Copenhagen Airports, see Copenhagen Airports Low Cost Facility Opens.

Source: Copenhagen Airports

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

“The potential is huge,” says Jon Sjølander, Director of Strategy with Avinor.
Avinor is currently in the process of obtaining tenders from some of the foremost consultant communities in Norway, who will be tasked with investigating what it would take to establish commercially viable biofuel production for aviation in Norway.

“This is ground-breaking and very challenging work we are initiating, and it is developments in recent years that make it interesting to look into this. In technical terms, it is currently possible to mix 50 per cent biofuel with jet fuel in jet engines. Challenges in the years ahead are related to production and distribution,” Sjølander says.

On a global basis, aviation is responsible for 2% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Along with more efficient engine and aircraft technology, biofuel will be the most important contribution towards reducing emissions from aircraft. A doubling of air traffic is expected in the next 15-20 years.

Import or production
One of the questions a study will attempt to answer is whether it is more profitable to start up own production rather than rely on imported biofuel.

“If one is to start up one’s own production, for example at Gardermoen, it is a precondition that this is commercially viable,” says Sjølander.

The study will also consider which type of biofuel that has the most positive effects on the climate.

“It is also decisive that the production of biofuel does not have unintended negative consequences for the climate and the environment,” emphasises Sjølander.

A united industry
It is a united aviation industry in Norway that supports the biofuel initiative, and both the airlines and the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries (NHO Luftfart) will be represented in the study’s steering group.

“The airlines and the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries (NHO Luftfart) have previously cooperated with Avinor on the project ‘Aviation – sustainability and social benefit,’ and will be a central partner for Avinor in this project too,” Sjølander concludes.

According to the plan of progress, the consultant will be selected in November, and the final report is to be presented at the turn of the year 2012/2013.

For further information on Avinor and their environmental efforts, visit the Avinor website. To read up on previous articles on Aviation Biofuel Programs, see Boeing, Embraer and Sao Paulo Research Foundation to Lead Aviation Biofuel Program in Brazil.

Source: Avinor, Sindre Ånonsen

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Both parties are investing efforts in introducing more sustainable transport vehicles at the airport, where a number of electrically-powered vehicles are also already in use. However, as electric power is not currently suitable for all vehicle types, the use of BioDiesel presents a sustainable alternative.

The BioDiesel that Schiphol and KLM will be using for ground transportation consists of 100% spent cooking oil and contains no fossil fuels. The supplier, SkyNRG, also supplies sustainable kerosene for aircraft flown by KLM, Thomson Airways and Finnair.

‘By using 100% BioDiesel in our vehicles we are injecting a powerful impetus in the advancement of sustainable enterprise at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. We have formulated the ambition of running a CO2-neutral operation by 2012, and investment in sustainable mobility is one way in which we will achieve this’, explains Ad Rutten, Executive Vice President & COO of Schiphol Group.

Over the next four months, some 40 airport vehicles will be running on 100% BioDiesel. These include tractors and catering, bird control, lease and delivery vans. If the pilot proves a success within those four months, additional vehicles will be switched over to BioDiesel.

SkyNRG

SkyNRG is a Dutch company established by KLM, the North Sea Group and Spring Associates with the mission of achieving greater sustainability in aviation through the use of fuels that are both sustainable and economical. In pursuing that mission, SkyNRG relies on a range of raw materials and technologies.

For further information about Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and their environmental efforts see Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. To read up on previous articles on Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Carbon Accreditation, see Amsterdam Airport Schiphol CO2 efforts recognised by Airport Carbon Accreditation.

Source: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has become certified by Airport Carbon Accreditation for the reduction of CO2 at the airport in 2009.

This is a significant acknowledgement of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions at the airport. Vice President and COO of Schiphol Group Ad Rutten received the accreditation certificate on Wednesday 30 March from Olivier Jankovec, Director-General of ACI Europe (Airports Council International).

Ad Rutten: ‘We are very pleased to become Airport Carbon Accredited at the ‘Optimisation’ level. This means that we at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol have achieved a reduction in our CO2 emissions, but also that we have succeeded in engaging other relevant parties at the airport, including airlines and handling companies, in reducing their own CO2. A prime example of this is our collaborative effort to reduce the taxi times of aircraft.’

Airport Carbon Accreditation

Airport Carbon Accreditation is the independent and institutionally-endorsed standardisation for carbon management at airports. Accreditation is awarded at four levels: mapping (level 1), reduction (level 2), optimisation (level 3) and neutrality (level 3+) of CO2 emissions.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the 43 airports in Europe to have been awarded Airport Carbon Accreditation at various levels. Accredited airports handle over 44% of European passenger traffic.The certified reduction achieved by Schiphol amounts to approximately 130,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2009.

Corporate Responsibility forms an integral part of the Schiphol Group’s strategy, to which end numerous initiatives are taken and which places a central focus on safety, the environment and the surrounding region. The Energy Strategy 2020 programme sets out Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s targets in terms of responsible energy use and the reduction of fossil fuel consumption. This will be achieved by means of five different initiatives: creating an efficient energy management system, stimulating third parties at the airport to do the same, producing and storing sustainable energy on-site, applying IT to learn more about energy usage patterns, and increasing the level of awareness amongst Schiphol staff. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol intends to be CO2 neutral by 2012 with respect to the activities of the Aviation, Consumers and Real Estate business areas at the Schiphol location.

To this end it has developed a step-by-step plan to achieve a maximum reduction in CO2 emissions. Amongst other things, the airport plans to cut energy and fuel consumption, use the necessary energy and fuel more efficiently, use sustainable energy and fuel and, last but not least, compensate for its consumption.

The CO2 emissions figures reported for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can be attributed in part to its green energy use and CO2 emissions compensation for business trips made by plane. Business trips made with AirFrance-KLM are compensated by the KLM CO2 compensation service; trips made with other airlines are compensated by Climate Neutral Group. At the end of 2010, Schiphol Group issued a tender for the purchase of 20 electric vehicles, to be deployed in airport operations.

With a 2.2% reduction, the 2010 energy efficiency target was met. A total of 122 efficiency measures were introduced representing a total conservation of over 44.6 TeraJoules; this does not include sustainably generated energy. This saving is comparable to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 1,450 households. The savings were realised by means of intelligent switching (reducing or switching off lighting or ventilation), the use of energy-efficient ventilation pumps and cooling units when replacing or renovating old equipment, and energy-efficient lighting. As LED lighting uses 40% to 50% less energy, it is being applied in an increasing number of locations inside and outside the terminal. LED lighting has become the standard for illuminating works of art and for traffic lights, emergency lighting and Christmas lighting. A study was conducted in 2010 to assess whether LED lighting can be applied at Pier G and used for signposting, for the Kaagbaan tunnel and for cargo warehouses. Extensive experiments were conducted in 2010 to assess the potential for lighting our car parks with LED. The test results indicate that LED lighting can indeed be used for these purposes. The Samsung advertising tower and various taxiway lighting systems were fitted with LED lighting in 2010.

Generating sustainable energy

The airport aims to generate 20% of its energy in a sustainable manner at the Schiphol location by 2020. This percentage stood at 1.2% in 2010 (0.8% in 2009). In 2010 various locations were prepared for the installation of solar panels, in order to gain further experience in the generation of sustainable energy. The TransPort office building commissioned an additional heat and cold storage facility and a small-scale solar panel system in 2010.

For further information about Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and their environmental efforts see Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. To read up on previous articles on Carbon Accreditation, see Paris airports’ CO2 achievements newly Airport Carbon Accredited.

Source: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

“A new vision for the future of the European aeronautics sector”

That is the mission of the High Level Group made up of leading representatives of the aerospace industry. The group was tasked by EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas and the Directorate General for Research and Development to draft a long-term strategy for the industry.

This vision of an efficient and effective air transportation policy for 2050 was presented today at Aerodays 2011 in Madrid. Representing the European airports in this group of high-level stakeholders was the CEO of Munich Airport, Dr. Michael Kerkloh.

To successfully deal with the challenges of the future and ensure the competitiveness of the European aeronautics industry, individual strategies must be developed and implemented for European airports. Kerkloh said that these strategies must include the design of security processes that will interfere with travelers’ personal freedoms as little as possible. A fully interconnected multimodal transport system is needed to provide affordable, reliable and seamless connectivity.

Using Munich Airport as an example, Kerkloh presented long-term airport management strategies aimed at ensuring the systematic development of that successful hub, stressing the importance of expanding the infrastructure in Munich in line with growing needs. The construction of a third runway and a satellite facility for Terminal 2 is necessary to mitigate delays and avoid congestion.

The airport plans to implement its expansion projects and handle the increased traffic volume through sustainable measures that will ensure that growth is largely achieved on a carbon-neutral basis.

For further information on Munich Airport and their environmental efforts, see Munich Airport.

Source: Munich Airport

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Today’s Budget highlights the many opportunities for generating growth British firms have by forging greater links with emerging markets.

BAA is a leading airport company. They own six airports in the UK including the largest, London Heathrow, and they help millions of people each year to reach destinations around the globe.

Their UK airports have been the catalyst for the growth of Europe’s most dynamic low-cost aviation industry, which has made the social and cultural benefits of aviation open to everyone.

BAA believes aviation has a critical part to play in our recovery, since the only way to travel direct to the majority of destinations across China, India, South America and Africa, is from Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport.

Welcoming today’s Budget, Colin Matthews, BAA’s chief executive, said:

Air Passenger Duty (APD)

“Clearly we weren’t expecting any tax cuts, but nevertheless a freeze in APD will be a welcome relief not just for Londoners, but for everyone across the UK who relies on Heathrow to connect them around the world.

“We have to remember that air taxes don’t just hit holidaymakers – they also hurt the competitiveness of London as a world city, and without sufficient levels of tourism, everything from retail to the arts will suffer.”

Measures to support growth

“The economy will remain fragile for some time to come which is why we welcome moves to support enterprise. It’s essential though, that we have the right trade links with emerging markets so firms can take advantage of growth across Brazil, Russia, India and

China and these will only come through a hub airport like Heathrow.

Help for construction industry

“The construction industry is a key driver of the economy and at Heathrow the brand new £2 billion Terminal 2 we’re building is one of the biggest construction projects in Europe. As with many development projects, every penny of the £1 billion we spend every year on capital investment is privately funded, so measures to support the broader construction industry that will get Britain building will be a welcome boost.”

Cut in red tape

“As the UK’s biggest single-site employer with 76,000 staff, we very much welcome any moves which cut red tape and reduce bureaucracy.”

For further information on BAA and their airports, visit the BAA website.

Source: BAA

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

The turbines, which will be a Nottingham and United Kingdom first, are set to be installed March 2011 and the preparation works are currently underway, with ground clearance and foundation construction taking place from 12th January 2011. Producing an estimated 5% of the airport’s electricity, which is the equivalent power of more than 150 houses, the turbines will save approximately 300 tonnes of carbon each year. Located on site, next to the airport’s headquarters, the turbines will stand 45 metres high, including the rotor blades, which will have a radius of around 14 metres.

The airport has worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and North West Leicestershire District Council to ensure that all permissions and approvals have been implemented ahead of their arrival. Planning consent was confirmed in 2008 and since, the airport has worked in partnership with local based companies and suppliers from across the world to source the most suitable product for the airport environment and to guarantee the most effective installation.

With plans to install a further two turbines, the electricity generated will significantly add to the airport’s existing suite of environmental measures reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Neil Robinson, Director of Sustainability, East Midlands Airport said: We are delighted to have started the ground works for the wind turbines. We will be the first UK airport to install turbines on this scale and the road to get here has been challenging, but  we are confident that we have found the right turbines, that we are working with the very best partners and now the foundation holes have been dug, we can really see them taking shape.

“The turbines will be installed for 20 years and we see it as a significant investment for the airport and the environment. Throughout the process, we have been careful to ensure that they will have no effect on our operations or be obtrusive for neighbours.

“The airport has invested heavily in environmental projects over the past four years and will continue to do so. The airport places very considerable importance on being greener, which helps our business and contributes locally, nationally and globally to tackling climate change.”

For further information on East Midlands Airport and their environmental efforts, visit East Midlands Airport.

Source: Enviro Aero

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

Max Moore-Wilton set the tone for the Twentieth ACI World Annual General Assembly meeting. More than 400 delegates from 72 countries attended this year’s meeting in Bermuda.

In addition to those three issues cited by Wilton, safety and disaster planning were also important topics discussed at this ACI conference regarding airports.

Charting a Course for the Future of Airports

While airports grapple with many pressing issues today, charting a course for the future was and underlying theme of this year’s conference and ACI Director General, Angela Gittens, called for airports to transition from a “public utility model” to an “entrepreneurial business model” to maximize efficiency, financial vitality, and customer service excellence. Gittens called upon ACI member airports to take a leadership role in charting their course for the future.

Following the conference theme, the keynote presentation was delivered by Michael Rogers, Futurist-in-Residence, for the New York Times and MSNBC. Rogers offered a number of predictions that will impact airports and air travel.

Adopting a Risk-Based Approach to Aviation Security

At their Bermuda meeting the ACI World General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions addressing those major issues facing airports and air travelers today. With the recent cargo security threat top of mind at the conference, ACI resolved to advocate adoption of a “risk-based” approach to cargo screening.

Implementing a Program to Enhance Airport Safety

With so many airports constrained by intersecting runways and limited expansion room, the concern for airport safety will intensify as passenger demand and air traffic increases in the coming years. ACI sees preventing runway incursions and excursions as a major priority. At the Bermuda conference, an entire session was devoted to safety and ACI launched a new initiative to improve passenger safety at airports.

James White, Deputy Director, Airport Safety and Standards at the FAA highlighted FAA initiatives and plans to improve airport safety. White reported a significant decline in serious runway incursions since the FAA implemented a plan to curb incursions and now the FAA is taking aim at reducing excursions.

ACI’s new “APEX in Safety” initiative intends to provide airports with the appropriate information and tools they need to meet international safety standards. The resolution encourages airports to review their processes and implement programs leading to a safety certification. ACI also wants to foster cooperation between airports with an “exchange” program to improve staff training and safety practices.

As part of the new safety initiative, ACI plans to provide ACI staff to support selected ICAO regional offices and help identify safety deficiencies. The ACI safety initiative also intends to develop a set of “key performance indicators” aimed specifically at decreasing runway excursions.

Campaign to Curb Aviation Taxes that Stifle Economic Growth/Activity and Jobs

ACI is extremely concerned about the growing number of “green taxes” levied by different countries, which are detrimental to air traffic and economic activity. ACI believes aviation has been unfairly singled out while other industries are not paying their fair share for their carbon footprint and that much of the revenue collected from these taxes has not been applied to improving the environment.

ACI would like governments to refrain from imposing taxes on aviation on a national or multi-national level for the sole purpose of addressing budgetary issues and recommends that governments recognize “Market Based Measures” within a global framework as the most effective method of addressing the cost of carbon emissions for the aviation industry.

Eliminating the Ban on Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in Carry-On Bags

ACI is extremely concerned about the European Union’s unilateral decision to begin lifting restrictions on carrying liquids, aerosols and gels aboard airplanes in 2011. ACI is worried about the confusion and chaos, that move could precipitate if the rules are not uniformly applied globally.

Urging Airports to Address to Greenhouse Gas Emissions

On the other side of the environment issue, ACI recognizes other stakeholders in the aviation industry have undertaken initiatives to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and now ACI is urging its members to do the same. The initiative, adopted in Bermuda, asks airports to assess current greenhouse gas emissions levels and set goals to reduce emissions in accordance with ACI’s Guidance Manual on Airport Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management.

Additionally, ACI is asking its members to strive to reach the ultimate target of becoming carbon neutral and to assist ACI with the collection and compilation of airport data and case studies of environmental initiatives relating to greenhouse gas management and other environmental issues.

ACI would also like airports to help airlines and other industry partners reduce their emissions by providing fixed electrical ground power and pre-conditioned air to allow aircraft auxiliary power unit shutdown, improve aircraft taxiing efficiencies by providing appropriate airport and taxiway layout, reduce aircraft queuing with options such as slot management and collaborative decision making regarding delayed push-back, and to work with stakeholders to improve landing and take-off fuel burn efficiencies with procedures such as continuous descent operations and continuous climb departures.

Preparing for Disasters

Be prepared and have a plan in place was the prudent advice offered to airports at the session on disaster planning and management. Panelists presented several different approaches for dealing with disasters caused by weather, health issues and terrorism.

ACI Move to Montreal

Finally, in an effort to increase cooperation and bring closer alignment with ICAO, ACI announced it plans to move its headquarters to Montreal. ACI believes being much closer to ICAO will give ACI a greater voice and a greater ability to better represent the interest of its members with ICAO.

For further information on the Airports Council International and their environmental efforts, visit Airports Council International. To read up on previous articles on the Airports Council International, see Paris airports’ CO2 achievements newly Airport Carbon Accredited.

Source: Airports Council International

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director

The carts, which comfortably transport up to five adults, offer plenty of storage space for luggage. The black carts bear Hartsfield-Jackson’s signature ParkATL logo.

“These electric shuttle carts are driving us toward a greener tomorrow today,” Aviation General Manager Louis Miller said. “With more than 16,000 combined parking spaces in our economy lots, these vehicles will help reduce the Airport’s overall carbon footprint as courtesy officers transport customers directly from their cars to the terminal curbside and vice versa.”

Other benefits of going electric include quieter engines, lower maintenance costs, tires designed for surface street driving and, best of all, no fuel costs.

At only $12 per day, the north and south economy parking lots are among the most convenient, economical choices for long-term parking. Hartsfield-Jackson provides courtesy shuttle service in the economy lots from 8 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

To learn more about Hartsfield-Jackson’s on-site parking options and their continued environmental efforts, visit Atlanta International Airport.

Source: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Samantha Minogue

Editorial Director