Growing Sustainably: Why and How Airports Can Initiate, Maintain, or Enhance Their Sustainability Commitments

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan 

According to the latest ACI World forecasts, airports are now fully recovered and entering a new period of sustained growth. Over the next three decades, global passenger numbers are expected to reach 17.7 billion by 2043 and 22.3 billion by 2053, the latter nearly 2.4 times the projected volume for 2024. 

As someone passionate about travel and with a career deeply rooted in the aviation industry, I have a personal stake in the sector’s growth. With travel back to normal, the excitement of exploring new destinations and revisiting beloved locations feels even more rewarding. The privilege of travel allows me to immerse myself in diverse cultures, and the chance to connect with people who offer new perspectives on life. 

Why airport sustainability makes social, environmental, and economic sense 

Aviation has a dual responsibility of maximizing positive socioeconomic impact while minimizing environmental harm. Airports are uniquely positioned to lead the way in sustainable growth, as they connect the world and their surrounding regions and are a key player in their communities, contributing to both local and global enrichment. However, like all sectors, they must grow and evolve sustainably, scrutinizing every facet of their operations to create value from social, environmental, and economic perspectives. 

From a social perspective, it’s the right thing to do. Businesses are responsible for the wellbeing of their employees and customers, and now, more than ever, this matters significantly to communities. Providing a safe, healthy, just, and inclusive environment, along with an efficient and positive customer experience, is key to retaining public trust and ensuring prosperity for years to come. 

From an environmental standpoint, airports are under increasing pressure to demonstrate the actions taken to reduce harmful environmental impacts. While mitigation measures can come with significant costs, reducing carbon emissions and protecting natural resources also presents opportunities, sometimes transforming these measures into investments. Sustainability initiatives can help airports increase efficiency, mitigate climate-related risks, and become more resilient to inevitable operational changes. 

Economically, airports face the challenge of regaining profitability after significant losses. At the same time, they will need funding to address climate change adaptation and mitigation. 

Sustainable airports of the future  

The future of sustainable airports will certainly look different, with emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, electric-battery-powered aircraft, and airports needing to adapt their infrastructure to accommodate these new fuels. Airports can also play a role in facilitating the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), working with the whole value chain to accelerate its use. 

During and following the pandemic, airports have had to adapt their operations in response to changing conditions, providing an opportunity to rethink and enhance their sustainable strategies in areas such as employment, community engagement, resource management, procurement, and construction practices. The sustainability efforts initiated during these challenging times have, in many cases, become the foundation for their long-term growth. 

On the finance side, Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria can be critical for evaluating investments, making airports with clear sustainability strategies more attractive to investors and better positioned to access capital through green bonds, for example. As infrastructure and energy requirements increase, access to capital will be fundamental for airports’ sustainable growth. 

ACI Airports Carbon Accreditation program 

One of the most significant ways airports can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability is by participating in the ACI Airports Carbon Accreditation program. This global program recognizes airports that are actively working to reduce their carbon footprint. Currently, over 615 airports worldwide are participating in the program, and many are already working towards carbon neutrality through various stages of accreditation. 

This program is an essential tool for airports seeking to manage their carbon emissions, helping them set clear targets, measure progress, and achieve recognized milestones. It provides a structured and transparent approach to reducing carbon footprints, supporting airports’ efforts in reaching their sustainability goals. 

How can airports grow sustainably? 

A systemic approach to collaboration, resiliency, innovation, partnerships, and capacity building will be crucial for success. A presentation I once attended offered a powerful reminder: the planet doesn’t care where emissions come from – they all contribute to environmental damage. Airports must work closely with customers, stakeholders, governments, academia, the energy sector, and other industries to achieve sustainability goals. This collaborative approach emphasizes the interdependency of all parties, highlighting the need to manage risks and impacts effectively. 

While new technologies will be vital enablers of sustainable growth, airports can also examine their existing sustainability efforts through the lens of growth and adaptation. 

Social sustainability in airports 

Airports serve as transportation hubs and must continue to ensure passenger health and safety and the well-being of employees. This includes offering healthier food options, promoting physical activity, and creating local job opportunities. Social sustainability also entails promoting a diverse workforce and improving the passenger experience by streamlining processes, using innovation & technology, and fostering better collaboration. 

Prioritizing the well-being of employees by reshaping HR policies to embrace flexible working conditions and improve engagement can turn employees into powerful ambassadors for sustainability. A workforce that feels heard, safe, and valued is essential to productivity. As airports around the world experience workforce challenges, it is vital to adopt innovative approaches and shifts in recruitment, training, and employee engagement. 

Developing strong and trusted relationships with local communities is also key. This includes transparency on upcoming developments and related decision-making processes, highlighting the various benefits and future challenges they may bring. Sharing these matters can turn local communities into allies, helping to secure long-term support and ensuring their voices are heard. Airports can also engage with their communities by participating in local events, employment fairs, supporting charities, and promoting local culture and heritage. 

Environmental sustainability for airports 

Operational efficiency can reduce emissions, save resources, and lower costs. Electrifying infrastructure and optimizing airside operations can contribute to decarbonization and improve air quality while enhancing profitability. Efficient use of runways and taxiways can also reduce emissions and increase efficiencies, creating additional social and economic benefits. As the industry is working toward net-zero emissions, airports should continue to invest in renewable energy, energy-efficient infrastructure, facilitating and supporting sustainable aviation fuels, and electrification of ground operations. 

Additionally, airports should continue focusing on resource conservation, reducing waste, implementing responsible water and energy management programs, and exploring new sustainable business models, such as servitization. Collaborating with stakeholders to embrace circular economy principles by reusing and processing materials, minimizing waste, and promoting recycling is essential and can further enhance sustainability efforts. Additionally, pursuing green building certifications such as LEED or BREEAM should also be explored to align with sustainability goals during renovations and expansions. 

Economic sustainability for airports 

For the long-term success of airports, financial resilience is important. Airports create jobs and stimulate local economies. As they grow, they should review their procurement policies to ensure they align with sustainable practices. Supporting local businesses that embrace sustainable practices can strengthen ties with the community and reduce the carbon footprint of imported goods. 

Airports should also partner with tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism. Providing a seamless and positive travel experience will help stimulate growth in the local tourism industry. 

As sustainability gains prominence, the availability of green finance will increase. Airports should explore options such as sustainability-linked bonds, loans, and green bonds for specific projects and investments. Airports should also consider leveraging digital transformation, enhancing non-aeronautical revenue streams, and adopting innovation through strategic partnerships and collaboration. 

Guidance on Airport Decarbonization 

Incorporating sustainability into airport operations will result in a balanced business model, strengthening economic stability, increasing social benefits, and reducing environmental impact. The Guidance on Airport Decarbonization provides airports with actionable insights to help them implement effective sustainability strategies, ensuring long-term success. 

Airports worldwide have made significant strides in becoming more sustainable, even during challenging times. Despite financial setbacks, they are focusing on passenger safety, enhancing processes, improving efficiency, and preserving resources. Innovation, collaboration, and new technologies are helping them drive forward sustainability initiatives. 

Their work is ongoing, but I admire their dedication to making the world a better place for all of us.