ENVIRONMENTAL
Aviation forecasts continue to predict robust growth for the aviation industry, increasing attention on the
environmental impacts of aircraft and airport operations. Several studies indicate that the environmental
impacts associated with predicted growth in air travel demand may offset the environmental benefits
already achieved. Understanding these concerns, airports are taking proactive steps to better understand
and mitigate those impacts to the natural environment and local community. However, much of the
impact is outside an individual airport’s control and as a result, organizations such as ACI-NA and its
members are working collaboratively to influence international, federal and state/local organizations,
manufacturers and airlines to respond to these environmental concerns. Through responsible
environmental stewardship and the strategies outlined below, work is being undertaken to reduce airport
impacts:
Noise and Land Use Compatibility – For decades, aircraft noise and land use conflicts have been the
primary airport/community concern. Over the last three decades, aircraft have become quieter, yet noise
continues to be a primary environmental concern. While the federal government controls aircraft noise
certification standards and flight tracks, airport operators have taken steps to reduce the noise impacting
nearby communities and encouraged the FAA to institute programs tailored to the unique noise concerns
at each airport. Common noise-related actions include: FAA directed noise abatement runway use and
flight tracks, programs for ground run-ups, noise management programs (that monitor runway use and
flight tracks, as well as note noise complaints), airport sponsored pilot awareness/fly quiet programs and
local land use actions. Airports seldom have control over adjacent land use and often work with these
communities by acquiring or sound insulating homes most severely affected by noise and developing land
use and zoning programs to encourage compatible development. ACI-NA is also working at the
international level to promote more stringent noise certification regulations for new aircraft and the
development of safe, but quieter aircraft operational procedures.
Air Quality – Although airports cannot directly control aircraft emissions, they recognize that mobile
sources at airports contribute to both local and global air quality and, as a result have taken steps in many
areas to reduce this contribution. Sources of airport-related emissions include: aircraft, ground support
equipment (GSE), ground vehicles accessing the airport (GAV), power generation and maintenance and
construction activities. Many airports have implemented actions tailored to address local air quality
issues including conversion to and promotion of alternative fuel and low emission vehicles for GSE,
GAV, maintenance and construction vehicles and rental car and hotel shuttle buses; promotion of high
occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and public transportation access; and alternative fueled and more
efficient central heating plants. The availability and use of 400 HZ power and preconditioned air units at
gates can minimize emissions from aircraft auxiliary and ground power units (APUs and GPUs). Some
airports have set goals to limit airport owned emissions. Others are considering emissions credit trading to
offset future growth impacts and demand management strategies to reduce congestion and delay which
result in higher emissions. Several airports are also monitoring hazardous air pollutant emissions (HAPs)
and conducting emissions inventories to further complement air quality studies
Airport Tool Kit
1
2/6/2016
While not regulated in the United States, many airport operators are proactively addressing greenhouse
gas emissions associated with airport operations. Greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies have
included: improving the operational efficiency of the airfield and landside system, acquisition of lower
emission technologies and acquisition of green power. In addition, airports are working with others in the
aviation industry to identify and encourage alternative fuel sources for aircraft, as well as research on the
effect of high altitude aircraft emissions.
Water Quality – Airports continue to implement robust programs to address water quality and discharges
from on-going industrial activities by tenants (fueling, washing, maintenance, deicing) and by their own
deicing and construction programs. Common practices include: deicer-impacted runoff collection, storage
and disposal or treatment; incorporation of dry detention basins during construction
projects to detain runoff and reduce pollutant discharges; incorporation of dedicated washing facilities
that drain to sanitary sewers; and otherwise reducing stormwater exposure. While most airports with
significant deicing activities have implemented programs to properly manage the deicer-impacted
discharges, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently charged with developing
national standards to minimize the discharges of deicer-impacted stormwater. Additionally, EPA’s spill
prevention, control and countermeasure (SPCC) regulations continue to evolve and airports have been
incorporating programs that meet those regulations and reduce water quality impacts from airside fueling
operations.
Wildlife – Wildlife management programs, particularly the elimination of hazardous wildlife attractions
and habitat, is a safety concern for every airport. As a result, airports have implemented wildlife
management programs designed to reduce aircraft and wildlife conflicts which are unique to each airport
setting. Programs often include relocating wildlife habitats, hazing to discourage wildlife and preventing
development of wildlife attractants near airports (such as landfills).
Waste Management –Many airports have implemented waste management programs either voluntarily
or to meet rigorous state and local waste reduction and recycling requirements. Key measures include
recycling, reduced paper use, food composting and hazardous waste management.
Sustainability – Sustainability has been described as a holistic strategy that strives to balance the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Within the
airport context, sustainability has broad implications throughout the entire system, including energy
consumption, environmental impacts and overall facility life-cycle costs. This typically addresses
operating costs such as airport infrastructure, transportation fleet, utilities and a full range of social issues
such as employee retention programs and community outreach. Many ACI-NA members are presently
collaborating on development of sustainability measures which will enable an airport to reduce its current
and future environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance – Virtually any type of development that
occurs at an airport must be evaluated to inform decision-makers of the project’s probable environmental
impacts. For small projects, these evaluations consist of documentation in support of a categorical
exclusion; whereas large projects may require an Environmental Impact Statement. Much concern has
arisen in recent years that NEPA has become burdensome and Congressional hearings have been held
seeking streamlining. ACI-NA members regularly work with the FAA to 1) improve an understanding of
NEPA requirements, 2) improve compliance with the NEPA process and 3) reduce the timelines
associated with compliance. This coordination has resulted in the development of streamlining steps for
key airport projects.
Airport Tool Kit
2
2/6/2016