Airports and the Environment


Airports are large, complex operations subject to many environmental regulations. As the demand for air travel continues to grow, the potential for adverse environmental impacts will increase. Airport operators across the United States and Canada are working to reduce the negative effects that aviation growth can have on the environment. ACI-NA and its members are working with international, federal, state and local regulators as well as with aircraft manufacturers and the airlines to address these environmental concerns.

 

Environmental Impact:

Noise and land use

While aircraft have become quieter over the last 30 years, the noise associated with aircraft operations is still a quality-of-life issue for surrounding communities. Although the federal government controls aircraft noise certification standards and flight tracks, airport operators have taken steps to reduce the noise affecting nearby communities.

Airport programs include:

  • Efforts to educate pilots about fly-quiet initiatives
  • Working with communities to sound-insulate or buy the homes that are disturbed the most by aircraft noise
  • Developing community land use policies to discourage new residential construction near airports


Air quality and climate change

Aircraft, ground vehicles, power generation and construction activities all contribute to emissions that affect local air quality.


Aviation contributes only 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but that number is expected to increase to 5% by 2050. Aircraft are the largest contributor to these greenhouse gas emissions.

Airport programs include:

  • Strategies to improve the energy efficiency of the airfield vehicles and terminal buildings
  • Switching to green power
  • Switching on-site vehicles to alternative power sources
  • Encouraging the use of public transit to reach the airport
  • Encouraging alternative aircraft fuel sources


Water quality

Airports continue to implement programs to reduce potential water quality impacts from activities at the airport: aircraft fueling, washing, maintenance, deicing and construction programs.   

Airport programs include:

  • Properly managing deicing discharges
  • Starting spill prevention programs to reduce water pollution from aircraft fueling operations


Waste management

Airports have implemented waste management programs either voluntarily or in order to meet rigorous state and local waste reduction and recycling requirements. Many have discovered that working cooperatively with airport tenants and community partners has increased the effectiveness of such programs.

Airport programs include:

  • Recycling
  • Reduced paper use
  • Food composting
  • Hazardous waste management

 

Compiled by Jessica S. Steinhilber  (jsteinhilber@aci-na.org)
ACI-NA’s Director of Environment Affairs


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