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E2.1 INTRODUCTION
Airports worldwide must be ready to handle current and future demand. However, many are increasingly operating at full capacity. As a result, traffic must be transferred to neighbouring secondary
airports to free up capacity, new runways and terminals must be built, or brand new airport sites must be found.
When a new airport is planned or a major expansion envisaged, it is important to consider not only what effect the change will have on the airport within its boundaries, but also to consider what the impact will be on the surrounding community. Airports can satisfactorily be integrated into the local community fabric if due care is taken. For example, studies into private and public road traffic generated
by airport activities (e.g. passengers, cargo, staff, etc.) must be undertaken and the surrounding road network designed to minimise negative effects on residential areas. Indeed, it is recognised that the negative effects (noise and pollution) of airport road traffic are often worse than the more known adverse effects of aircraft traffic.
The implementation of new airport projects is becoming more and more difficult despite the fact that the lack of airport capacity is now identified as the main obstacle to future air transport growth. This is mainly because of growing opposition from local residents surrounding airports, as well as pressure
groups that force governments to introduce complex approval procedures. As a result, air transport capacity lags behind demand, thereby increasing congestion and delays, energy use, costs and emissions, as well as undermining consumer satisfaction.
Conflicting situations when developing an airport are quite often the consequence of a lack of proper land-use planning and management. Governments and local municipalities have the responsibility to prevent residential areas from being built around airports to avoid future problem — despite the attraction to new residents of good communications and other facilities. A delicate balance must therefore be found between the interests of those affected by increased air traffic, the related effects on the environment, and the recognised and quantifiable benefits that an airport brings to a region in terms of economic wealth and employment.
Long-term planning, management and careful advocacy are required by airports to ensure that they are able to secure capacity and meet demand through safe and sustainable growth. Furthermore,
E2.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIPS
Given that air transport is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, the challenge for the entire industry, and for airports in particular, is to ensure that aviation grows in a sustainable manner with a proper balance between economic, environmental and social considerations (see E2.3 Sustainable Development).
Environmental issues arising from air transport growth are multi-faceted and complex. For this reason,
joint participation in decision-making is essential, as it helps to resolve local, regional and global trade-off situations. Solutions are most likely to be found through coordinated action and partnerships between as many relevant stakeholders as possible. Stakeholders in the air transport sector are diverse and include manufacturers, airlines, airport operators, air navigation services providers, governments, civil society (neighbouring associations and NGOs), architects, planners and research organisations.
A variety of partnerships can be formed between these stakeholders to address different issues at different levels. The following are some examples:
• Local partnerships with communities around airports in order to further reduce environmental impacts and to better distribute air transport's socio-economic benefits (in terms of employment,
to airports and also reduce road traffic emissions, while the complementary and coordinated operations of short haul flights and high speed trains leads to the most rational use of existing facilities.
•
Global partnerships with other industries in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ona
global scale. Open emissions trading schemes among industries have been identified by ICAO as a potential long-term solution for aviation, subject to further assessment.
•
Universal partnerships for development in order to improve transport accessibility andmobility
in the developing world. Air transport is indispensable for the development of tourism and trade, which play a fundamental role in eradicating poverty.
By combining the complementary skills of different stakeholders and eliminating duplication of effort through partnerships, substantial results can be achieved that will enable aviation to grow in a sustainable manner.
E2.3 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The issue of sustainable development is gathering growing social and political importance amongst airports, airlines and governments that are conscious of the need to respond to this major public issue. In modern society we all face the sustainability challenge that requires maintaining a proper balance between economic growth, social progress and environmental responsibility — the three pillars of sustainability.
The air transport industry is a good example of an industry that provides a valuable and unique contribution to the sustainable development of our global society. It includes efficient and affordable - access to markets — thereby improving living standards and fostering economic growth — which, in turn, alleviates poverty and results in less environmental degradation and a more sustainable world.
Sustainable development policies require that airports conduct their operations and undertake development in ways that "...meet the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs1". This means that, for example, airport capacity cannot be
defined solely in technical terms, and must take into account the need for environmental and social acceptance of airport infrastructure and operating decisions.
Airports today, therefore, must plan for the future and take account of their sustainable development opportunities and challenges rather than proceeding with unchecked capacity expansion.
The 'three pillars of sustainability' apply to airports in different ways, as outlined below. Airports should
make sustainable development a high priority and assume a leadership role in its promotion and integration into airport policies, programmes and operations.
E2.3.1 Social Sustainability
Social sustainability:
•
Recognises direct impacts on daily quality of life: Air transport is a key ingredient in thequality of life of many people — accordingly, air transport policies have a direct effect on people and must take into account the characteristics of different communities and regions.
• Promotes greater access and choice: Air transport should provide people with a reasonable
means of access to other places, goods and services — which implies the promotion of improved
and diversified air services, including additional frequencies and routes, improved services, more
diversified air carriers, etc.
E2.3.2 Economic Sustainability
Economic Sustainability:
•
Recognises the need for an air transport Industry that is as efficient as possible to supportthe national economy — which implies that airport policies, programmes and practices should
be innovative to support the economy and industry's efficiency and competitiveness.
•
Recognises the need for an air transport Industry that is affordable for the movement of people and goods — which implies that airport policies, programmes and practices shouldseek
innovative financing and implement cost-effective solutions that will ensure that airport facilities and services are affordable.
•
Recognises the need for an air transport Industry that is priced to reflect the full costs and benefits of facilities and services provided to users and society.E2.3.3 Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability:
• Recognises the importance of protecting and conserving natural resources—which
implies
that airports must apply sound environmental and conservation practices, and that airport development must make efficient use of land, water, energy and other natural resources, and preserve vital natural habitats, maintain biodiversity and repair damage.
• Recognises the importance of preventing noise, emissions and pollution before it occurs
— which implies that airports should work to ensure that the industry's needs are met in a way that avoids or minimises pollutants and waste; and reduces the overall risk to human health, global warming and the environment.
• Recognises the importance for airport management that is led by example and environmental stewardship — which implies that airports should continually refine their
environmental management systems so that internal operational practices support sustainable development. Furthermore, airports should consider the potential environmental impacts of new undertakings, and apply risk management and due diligence practices to their real property assets.
E2.4 AIRPORT STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS AND INITIATIVES
The sustainability debate at the local level is the most important one for airports, since preserving good relations with the local resident population — in order to maintain their acceptance — directly impacts upon airport and airline development.
Airports produce positive effects to the surrounding community in terms of increased employment and increased economic activity. If well integrated, airports can contribute to the healthy growth of
transport's socio-economic benefits to surrounding communities (in terms of employment, creation of commercial activities, cultural sponsorships, etc.).
In order to improve the local communities acceptance, several airports have launched specific initiatives to address this issue, especially in Europe where in recent years sensitivity to noise and emissions has increased. The following are some examples of typical local-level solutions to local- level concerns:
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Innovative participation procedures: these involve relevant local stakeholders, in order toovercome the trade-off between capacity improvements and noise protection measures. Discussions, mediation procedures and compensation are the main instruments used.
•
Compensation schemes: these involve generating jobs and implementing new fund-raisingmechanisms (for example via airport and related air transport revenues) to provide compensation to neighbouring communities around airports.
•
Land use management and planning: the airport operator should be given the means to"neutralise" enough land in order to protect the airport from new residents who would be likely to complain about noise.
•
Improving rail connections to airports: access to airports by road increases localpollution.
Airport operators should explore improving their rail connections.
•
Developing community initiatives: airports can provide support to local cultural andsporting
events, facilitate sponsorship opportunities, provide scholarships for local children, provide
E2.5 IATA RECOMMENDATIONS
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E2.IR1 Business Partnering Programs — Shared Airport Capacity andResources
By combining complemented skills and services and eliminating duplication of effort through partnerships, substantial results can be achieved that will enable aviation to grow in a sustainable
manner.
Airport operators arid their direct business partners should work together to share airport services
in an effort to ensure that airport equipment usage, space and efficiency is maximised. A good example is the use of airport ground transport vehiciesé These vehicles can often be shared,
and initiatives and business relationships should be developed to allow airiines and ground handling agents to do so.