Make a list of the world’s most sustainable industries and it’s unlikely that aviation features highly. But, with sustainability increasingly at the forefront of minds and IATA member airlines committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the industry stands at a critical juncture: commit to making eco-friendly choices or risk falling behind in the face of environmental challenges and customer expectations. Leading UK airports London Gatwick, London Luton, and Manchester Airports Group (MAG) are stepping up, each setting ambitious goals for net-zero emissions and pioneering efforts in decarbonisation, community engagement, and alignment with global climate targets. As the aviation sector has long been an innovation leader, this could be its most important transformation yet.

In this article, we explore five key ways airport leadership teams can inspire the airport community to embrace more sustainable choices in aviation practices—starting today.

To learn more about how AIRDAT can help you to reach your sustainability goals, get in touch.

1. Lead the way

Airports can play a pivotal role in inspiring their communities to make better choices. By championing sustainable options, showcasing the benefits of eco-friendly alternatives, and generally setting the right example, airports can demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability and inspire their community members to follow suit. Ongoing positive choices coupled with the recognition and incentivisation of staff and contractors, could help to achieve buy-in.

2. Digitise essential processes

Not only can digitisation enhance operational efficiency and safety, it also comes with the added benefit of increasing sustainability. By using eco-conscious partner systems, such as AIRDAT’s cloud-based training management system (Passport) and cloud-based fleet management system (Onboard), airports can embed sustainability considerations into everyday processes. Transitioning from legacy systems to digital and paper-free allows airports to eliminate the need for paper tests, permits, and certificates. By creating, verifying and renewing these documents in the cloud, airports can significantly reduce their environmental footprint.

3. Build sustainability into compliance and auditing

The auditing process has traditionally been heavily reliant on paper-based communications: reams of forms to fill in, boxes to tick and staff physically present in order to sign off. Thankfully, this outdated way of working can become a thing of the past with the right systems in place. AIRDAT cloud-based systems for fleet management and training, allow airports to integrate dynamic contracts with digital signatures to save time and standardise the process. Continuous automated monitoring keeps a clear audit trail to maintain rigorous standards of compliance and accountability, without the carbon footprint.

4. Promote and reward eco-friendly vehicle choices

Aircraft tugs, refuelling equipment, catering carts and other vehicles that operate airside can contribute significantly to an airport’s carbon emissions. While there are limited options (currently) to reduce the emissions from the aircraft themselves, it’s eminently possible for the vehicles that operate airside to transition to more eco-friendly and sustainable choices. Airports can encourage and assist this transition by rewarding and promoting the use of electric and hybrid vehicles through incentivisation schemes and recognition programmes. 

Onboard, the AIRDAT fleet management system not only allows you to track tax and vehicle standards certification but also collect data such as Co2 output. This can be used to implement new initiatives. Contact a member of the team to learn more.

5. Eliminate travel for training and permit collection

Training sessions and permit application/collection have traditionally required travel, leading to increased carbon emissions and an environmental impact. AIRDAT’s cloud-based competency assessment Passport, allows airport partners to plan, manage, deliver and store training data via the cloud to eliminate the need for travel. All required documentation as well as permits and certification are digitally stored and available via the VISA App, reducing the need for permit collection. By using these secure, compliant and cloud-based systems, airports can go some way to minimising their environmental impact without compromising on the necessary information that staff need to perform their roles.

The final word

Airport community engagement is a powerful tool for driving sustainability and fostering eco-friendly choices. By inspiring stakeholders, staff and contractors to embrace sustainable choices, airports can use the innovation that they’re famed for to lead the way towards a greener and more sustainable future. Together, let’s work towards a world where airports serve as beacons of environmental stewardship and leave a lasting impact on future generations.