‘GREEN’ GROWTH WINS MUNICH ERA AIRPORT AWARD

19/10/2007

A proactive and responsible approach to environmental issues, allowing the achievement of a balance between airport growth and care for the environment, has won Munich the Airport Achievement Award 2007/8 from the European Regions Airline Association (ERA).

Peter Trautmann, Chief Operating Officer was presented with the Award by Ilya Gutlin, Regional Vice President, SITA at the ERA General Assembly Awards Dinner in Athens last night.

Commenting on the win the judges said: “One of the biggest challenges faced by European airports today is how to balance growth in air traffic with a reduction in the environmental impact of air travel. Munich Airport has set clear and well-structured environmental objectives with measurable targets. This balanced approach has enabled Munich Airport to achieve sustainable growth and successfully serve society’s mobility needs while at the same time protecting the environment and preserving natural resources.”

Munich Airport has set a target of cutting CO2 by more than 70,000 tons a year by 2010 through various environmental programs and initiatives. Through the purchase of raw materials from surrounding farms, the airport has already converted 400 diesel airport vehicles to rapeseed oil vehicles, supporting local business and achieving substantial cost savings for the airport. Other environmental initiatives have been undertaken in the areas of aircraft de-icing, hydrogen-powered vehicles (including the world’s first public hydrogen filling station) and continual bio-monitoring of the airport’s impact on the surrounding area.

The ERA Airport Achievement Award is awarded to an airport which can demonstrate an achievement or series of achievements which have a positive impact on intra-European air transport operations. Munich Airport has won this Award twice before, in 2002 and 2005.

Munich Airport handled 30.8m passengers in 2006 and as such is the second largest airport in Germany behind Frankfurt. 34% of all departing passengers at Munich are transfer passengers while 52% of passengers are travelling on business. 

ENDS