Green initiatives for sustainable airport services

Abstract

Air transport is ever expanding and ever impacting our global environment. It is a carbon-driven, carbon-intensive industry. Air travel is often the only realistic option for the movement of both people and cargo in the current lifestyles and demands bound by time constraints. Aviation transportation is vital for Bahrain’s survival and daily operations. Therefore, an eco-friendly infrastructure offers viable options for implementing green technology. A significant portion of the emissions are from ground transportation that encompasses moving airport personnel, cabin crews and passengers between terminals and aircraft carriers. In addition, there is all the freight and cargo movement, food and fuel services, personal baggage and in-flight catering and waste servicing. This paper identifies six module areas that have the potential for ‘greening’ airports for a sustainable future. Then two module areas will be discussed in greater depth using the case study approach. Eco-friendly best practices can include on-site alternative energy–powered vehicles to solar energy–powered operations to within-terminal recycling initiatives as well as aircraft organic separation that are practical and sustainable. The main areas of sustainable activities and facilities services will be highlighted with case studies to emphasise various applications around the globe at international airports.