Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific announced the results of the Green Airports Recognition (GAR) Programme 2023, recognising 12 airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East for demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in their sustainability projects.
During the past decades, our industry has grown exponentially and is expected to continue to do so in the years to come. As air transport continues to grow, a substantial volume of waste is expected to be generated at airports. One such concern is the increasing worldwide concern about the impact of single-use plastic pollution, especially within the aviation industry. Therefore, the theme for the Green Airports Recognition 2023 is Single- Use Plastic Elimination.
The outstanding airports are awarded into three categories: “Platinum”, “Gold” or “Silver” recognition according to various airport size categories and set criteria.
The recognised airports are:
Over 35 million passengers per annum:
- Platinum: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Single Use Plastic Free Airport – Mumbai
- Gold: Hong Kong International Airport Accelerating the reduction of single-use plastics at Hong Kong International Airport
- Silver: Indira Gandhi International Airport Single Use Plastic Free Delhi Airport
Between 15-35 million passengers per annum:
- Platinum: Kempegowda International Airport (Project: Plastics Circularity at KIAB)
- Gold: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Project: Single-use Plastic free RGI Airport)
- Silver: Jeju International Airport (Project: The introduction of reusable cups to airport)
Between 8-15 million passengers per annum:
- Platinum: Central Japan International Airport (Project: Bottle to Bottle’ sustainable use of PET bottle)
- Gold: Adelaide Airport (Project: Single-use plastics free precinct)
- Silver: Bahrain International Airport (Project: Combating single use plastics at Bahrain International Airport (BIA)
Less than 8 million passengers per annum:
- Platinum: Mangaluru International Airport (Project: SUP Free Airport)
- Gold: Christchurch International Airport (Project: Waste Strategy to Circular Solutions)
- Silver: Kaohsiung International Airport (Project: Plastic-Free Life at the Airport)
The recognised Airports were honoured at the 18th ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Kobe, Japan.
Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific said, “Congratulations to all the recognised airports for demonstrating their leadership and commitment in implementing innovative sustainability projects at airports. These are critical steps as part of our industry’s efforts towards protecting our environment as well decarbonisation. We are impressed with the innovative practices deployed by airport operators to mitigate the plastic contamination. We hope these unique concepts will inspire other airports to implement such practices as we all work towards the common vision of achieving net zero carbon emission by 2050.”
Malaysia Airports talent wins ACI Asia-Pacific’s Young Executive Award
ACI Asia-Pacific has announced the winner of the Association’s signature Human Resources programme, the Young Executive Award 2023. Noor Sabrina, who served as Senior Executive Stakeholder Relations & Regulatory Affairs at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad until recently, has been declared as the winner. The panel of judges also awarded Honourable Mentions to Sami Abu-Hmeidan of Queen Alia International Airport (Airport International Group) and Shoichi Higuchi of Narita International Airport Corporation.
This year, papers addressed the theme “The Future of the Airport Workforce”. Sabrina produced a research paper that explores the trends in airport workforce challenges along with case studies of various global airports, and provide recommendations to shape the future of airport workforce. “Our industry is facing competition from several other industries in a tight labor market. Enhancing training and staff development for reskilling and upskilling, providing better career development plan is critical to make airports a more attractive place for long-term career. To this end, ACI Asia-Pacific is pleased be playing its part in fostering the industry’s young talents through the Young Executive Award programme,” said Mr. Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific.
The winner will receive a cash award of US$1,000 and a scholarship for the Airport Operations Diploma Programme (online self-study). As an incentive for nominating a candidate, we are offering the airport of the winning candidate an additional scholarship to any one ACI Global Training Leadership and Management Professional Certificate Course, virtual or classroom (excluding travel fare).