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The aim of the initiative launched by ACI Europe is that airports should recognize their responsibility and work together in the global effort to combat climate change. The complete accreditation process consists of four phases, from which Budapest Airport now fulfilled the first phase by assessing the airport’s carbon dioxide emissions during the year 2009 in detail, and approving a directive committing itself to the gradual reduction of consumption. As part of the process, Budapest Airport’s specialists calculated, with the involvement of international experts, the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the operation of the airport, and then had this data certified by an independent organization appointed for this purpose.
The final report on CO2 emissions was received by ACI’s official administration partner, a London-based consultancy company, which then sent notification that the airport has been admitted to the “elite environmental club”. In the second phase of the accreditation process, project members would like to ensure that Budapest Airport can register a demonstrable reduction in emissions. Then, in the third and fourth phase, the main objective is energy optimization, with the final goal of making the airport essentially neutral in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
Budapest Airport has already undertaken numerous voluntary tasks in the interest of sustainable development. As part of the airport operator’s energy rationalization program, launched in 2007, it renovated the airfield ground lighting systems of the runways, installed solar collectors on the roof of Terminal 1 and significantly reduced its natural gas consumption, amongst other things.
“We sincerely hope that the airport’s carbon footprint, the indicator for environmental burdens which cause climate change, will continue to shrink,” said Jost Lammers after receiving the accreditation certificate. “As one of the key players of the Hungarian economy, Budapest Airport remains committed to environmentally conscious airport operation.”
More information:
Mihály Hardy
corporate affairs director
Budapest Airport Plc.
Tel: +36 1 296-6753
Mobile: +36 30 327-2372
Email: mihaly.hardy@bud.hu
Notes to editors
Budapest Airport Plc., the operator Ferihegy Airport is co-owned by the Hungarian state (25% +1 vote) and a consortium of German, Canadian, American and Singaporean investors led by HOCHTIEF Concessions (75% -1 vote). Currently, the two terminals of the airport are home to 34 airlines, which transported nearly 8.2 million passengers to more than 90 destinations in 40 countries in 2010.
Budapest Airport’s goal is to become the leading airport in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of traffic growth and service quality. To this end, the company is undertaking significant investments in order to expand its capacities, and has committed to spending a total of 261 million euros (approximately 75 billion HUF) by the end of 2011 on developments. The most significant of these is the construction of the SkyCourt, a new terminal building linking Terminals 2A and 2B. The elegant, high-quality SkyCourt will provide an unforgettable architectural and travel experience, as well as a rich selection of shops and restaurants. The new terminal will make traveling through the airport simpler and more convenient, as well as expand throughput.
In 2011, Budapest Airport began a new project, the Cargo City development near Terminal 2, with 140 000 square meters of cargo storage areas and a logistics park due to be built in the first phase. Also in 2011, Budapest Airport commenced the planning and construction of a new engine test stand near the Lufthansa Technik hangar. The long-awaited environmental protection project will be accompanied by numerous other developments, whereby Budapest Airport is contributing to the implementation of a sustainable aeronautical model.