Salvador Bahia Airport becomes the First Airport in the Americas to achieve the highest Zero-Carbon Certification

Salvador Bahia Airport, a member of VINCI Airports, has become the first airport in Brazil and across the Americas to achieve Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), the highest global recognition for carbon management in airports. The certification, granted by Airports Council International (ACI), confirms that the terminal has reached net zero emissions for Scopes 1 and 2, while also committing to achieving net zero emissions for Scope 3 through collaboration with partners and other stakeholders.

This milestone reflects the airport’s dedication to decarbonizing its operations, addressing both direct and indirect emissions, and actively engaging suppliers and partners to reduce their environmental footprint. The result comes from a continuous strategy that includes:

• Solar energy generation at two photovoltaic plants, which supply electricity for both airport operations and third-party cargo facilities;
• Exclusive use of 100% renewable energy across all airport operations, including concessionaire activities;
• Replacement of gas-powered equipment with electric alternatives in concessionaire operations, including restaurants;
• Ongoing dialogue with stakeholders to promote awareness and joint emission-reduction actions;
• Offsetting residual emissions through certified carbon-removal projects, including a reforestation initiative in Corumbá (MS), which not only protects the environment but also generates significant socioeconomic benefits for local communities.

With seven certification levels (1, 2, 3, 3+, 4, 4+, and 5), Airport Carbon Accreditation is currently the world’s leading airport sustainability program. Level 5, the highest within the certification, sets rigorous environmental management standards, requiring not only emissions neutralization but also active engagement from the entire airport ecosystem in adopting sustainable practices.

“This achievement reinforces Salvador Bahia Airport’s position as a reference in the environmental agenda of Latin American aviation. Reaching Level 5 is the result of continuous and collaborative work involving innovation, engagement, and a genuine commitment to the planet’s future. It is international recognition of the strength of our practices and of the role we play in transforming airport operations into a more sustainable model,” says Julio Ribas, CEO of VINCI Airports in Brazil.

Across 14 countries and more than 70 airports, VINCI Airports adopts a decarbonization approach across its entire value chain. The company aims to achieve net zero emissions in its direct activities by 2030 in the European Union and the United Kingdom, and by 2050 in the rest of the world. VINCI Airports is the main international contributor to ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

About Salvador Bahia Airport

Located in the capital of the state of Bahia, Salvador Bahia Airport is the first VINCI Airports concession in Brazil, having taken over operations on January 2, 2018. Since then, the airport has incorporated global operational standards, seeking to deliver greater efficiency, safety, and an improved travel experience for passengers. With an investment of R$ 700 million in terminal modernization and expansion, the airport increased its capacity by 50%, now serving up to 15 million passengers per year. It has also been recognized with the Ethnic-Racial Diversity Seal by Salvador’s Municipal Department for Reparations for its initiatives to combat institutional racism. Salvador Bahia Airport also stands out as the “Most Sustainable Airport in Brazil,” leading environmental preservation efforts.

About VINCI Airports

VINCI Airports, the world leader in the operation of private airports, manages more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Through its expertise as an integrated global operator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds, and manages airports, leveraging its investment capacity and know-how to optimize operational performance, modernize infrastructure, manage airport operations, and drive environmental transition. VINCI Airports was the first airport operator to adopt an international environmental strategy in 2016, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.