Salvador Airport wins international certification for carbon emission reduction

Salvador Airport wins international certification for carbon emission reduction

The achievement represents Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Level 2 certification


Salvador Bahia Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, has just gained international prominence once again thanks to its environmental commitment. The airport has achieved level 2 of the ACA (Airport Carbon Accreditation) certification, granted by the Airport Council International (ACI) organization, which recognizes the implementation of actions and projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.


The certification is the result of the work done by the airport on different fronts, including improvements to the air-conditioning system, installation of smart devices such as sensors on stairs, elevators and toilets and the replacement of conventional lamps for LED-which allowed for a 134 tons reduction of the carbon dioxide emitted.


In addition, Salvador Bahia Airport began the installation of a solar plant, becoming the first airport in the country to have such equipment supplying the terminal. The plant, an investment of about R $ 16 million, will be made of 11,000 solar panels, representing an installed capacity of 4,215 KWp for an annual production of 6,300,000 KWh. The equipment is expected to start operating in the second half of February.


Monthly, the plant will have the capacity to produce 550,000 KWh of electricity supplying 32% of the terminal's current consumption and representing 3,800 popular homes’ electricity supply needs. When fully operational, the plant will further reduce the airport's carbon footprint by 30%, saving an additional 690 tons of carbon dioxide per year.


Other recognitions – Achieving ACA level 2 certification adds to the airport's other achievements in the area of sustainability throughout 2019. Last January, Salvador Bahia Airport had already been the first airport of the North / Northeast regions and the second of Brazil to achieve ACA level 1 certification, which recognizes efforts to map and identify all direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the airport.


In October, Salvador Bahia Airport was recognized as a "green airport" during the annual conference of the Airports Council International of Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC), which rewarded the Effluent Treatment Station (ETE), implemented in 2018, the energy efficiency work and wildlife risk management developed at the airport.


The sustainability actions implemented at the airport are in line with VINCI Airports' environmental policy, AIRPact, which establishes global targets by 2030 such as halving the carbon footprint while obtaining ACA certification by all the group's airports in the world, halving water consumption, implementing of the circular economy based on the reduction of waste production, segregation of waste generated and subsequent recycling.


About Salvador Bahia Airport


Located in Salvador, capital of the State of Bahia and Brazil’s first historic capital, Salvador Bahia airport is part of the VINCI Airports’ network since January 2nd, 2018, through a 30-year Concession Agreement. Among the ten busiest airports in the country, it connects the state of Bahia to about 30 destinations, both domestic and international.


Since the beginning of the concession, the airport has been incorporating global operating standards, seeking to deliver greater efficiency, safety and an enhanced travel experience to its passengers. Intense investments in an expansion and modernization program have led to the extension of the built area to 22,000m², the addition of six new boarding bridges, the opening of the commercial aviation runway and the installation of a fire detection and firefighting system. In addition, the airport has committed to support the state's economic development through traffic development and tourism stimulation initiatives.


Recognized as a green airport by the Airports Council International, Salvador Bahia airport stands out for its sustainability achievements among which the disposal of zero effluents, energy efficiency measures and the implementation of an effective solid waste recycling program, in line with VINCI Airports’ commitment to carbon footprint reduction. The airport also seeks to value and promote the social and cultural specificities of Bahia, one of its greatest assets.


About VINCI Airports


VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of 46 airports located in France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Serbia, Cambodia, Japan, the United States, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Chile and Brazil. Served by around 250 airlines, VINCI Airports' network handled 240 million passengers in 2018.


Through its expertise as a comprehensive integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and operates airports, leveraging its investment capability, international network and know-how to optimize the management and performance of existing airport infrastructure, facility extensions and new-build construction projects. In 2018, its annual revenue for managed activities amounted to €3.6 billion, for consolidated revenue of €1.6 billion. More comprehensive information is available on www.vinci-airports.com.