Salvador Bahia Airport is the First Airport in Brazil to Receive ACA 4+ Certification

During the celebrations for Environmental Week, Salvador Bahia Airport, a member of VINCI Airports, became the first airport in Brazil to achieve the Level 4+ “Transition” status of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, awarded by the Airports Council International (ACI). The recognition confirms the airport's progress in reducing its carbon emissions and its commitment to targets aligned with a global warming scenario below 2°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

The certification is part of the international Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, which sets strict criteria for carbon management in airports and is the only carbon management certification program with institutional support aimed exclusively at the airport sector. Salvador Bahia Airport has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 89% compared to 2018 and offset residual emissions by purchasing certified credits, a requirement for obtaining ACA 4+ certification. This level requires airports to focus on three key areas: controlling direct emissions generated by their operations, managing electricity consumption, and engaging partners to reduce the environmental impact across the airport’s entire value chain.

In line with VINCI Airports' environmental strategy, the airport is committed to reducing its direct carbon footprint by two-thirds by 2030 compared to 2018, and to achieving net-zero direct emissions by 2050. VINCI Airports’ global environmental policy sets sustainable goals for all airports in its network, including objectives such as eliminating waste sent to landfills by 2030, promoting the use of clean and renewable energy, adopting advanced waste management practices, halving water consumption, and preserving biodiversity.

Over the seven years of its concession, Salvador Bahia Airport has implemented a series of sustainability initiatives, such as the generation of solar energy through two photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 4.6 MWp. One of these plants supplies 30% of the terminal's power consumption, while the other fully powers three consumer units in the cargo area. The airport also exclusively uses energy from renewable sources. The airport has a collaboration plan with companies and partners to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in their operations, aiming to reduce Scope 3 emissions. These initiatives include the electrification of ground support equipment and reducing the use of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) on aircraft while on the ground, by providing electrical power (GPU) and pre-conditioned air (PCA) systems.

According to Alessandra Reis, Environmental Manager at VINCI Airports in Brazil, this achievement reinforces the group’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with global industry trends. “VINCI Airports has a clear goal of reducing emissions by 67% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This certification shows we are on the right track, implementing concrete solutions to minimize our environmental impact. With the approach of COP 30, the climate agenda becomes even more relevant, and we remain aligned with global goals to ensure a more sustainable future,” she affirms.

About Salvador Bahia Airport

Located in the capital of Bahia state, Salvador Bahia Airport is the first concession of the VINCI Airports network in Brazil, which assumed its operation on January 2, 2018. Since then, Salvador Airport has incorporated global operational standards, seeking to offer more efficiency, safety, and an improved travel experience for its passengers. With an investment of R$ 700 million in modernization and terminal expansion works, it increased its capacity by 50%, accommodating up to 15 million passengers annually. Additionally, it was recognized with the Ethnic-Racial Diversity Seal by the Municipal Secretariat of Reparação of Salvador for its efforts to combat institutional racism. Salvador Bahia Airport also stands out as the “Most Sustainable Airport in Brazil,” leading environmental preservation actions.

About VINCI Airports

VINCI Airports, the world leader in private airport operations, operates in more than 70 airports across 13 countries. With its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds, and manages airports, leveraging its investment capacity and know-how to optimize operational performance, modernize infrastructure, manage operations, and drive environmental transition. VINCI Airports was the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy in 2016, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.