iGA Istanbul Airport, a gateway to the world with its unique position set at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, is thrilled to announce the results from its latest 2023 Sustainability Report, showing an ongoing commitment to a better future for both humanity and the environment. In this report, driven by the overall vision of ‘Focus on the Planet, Target for the Future’, the airport documents its social impact generated through social investment projects with esteemed stakeholders, and reflects on the successful results and tangible improvements on the airport’s sustainability activities and objectives throughout 2023.
As a major global hub and meeting point of different cultures, iGA Istanbul Airport has been named Europe’s Busiest Airport for four consecutive years. Operating 505,000 flights and more than 76 million passengers annually requires the airport to work with the most innovative technologies and systems possible, alongside employing staff to deliver these services. Amongst this, the airport still proudly recognises and adheres to its profound social and economic responsibility to operate sustainably in order to contribute to the industry’s efforts to adapt to climate change. Notable achievements in this area include iGA Istanbul Airport obtaining the ACI Europe Level 4 Carbon Accreditation Certificate 2023 and the Greenstars Certification 2023 – Turkey’s first national sustainability certificate – amongst several other prestigious awards that prove its benchmark of excellence.
iGA Istanbul Airport has determined a comprehensive plan of 2030 sustainability goals, aiming to reduce and manage environmental and social impact, alongside taking positive steps forward for the mobility sector. These are split into the three core pillars of the future of mobility, integrity of the environment and generating value for people.
Risk management & carbon pricing
The Sustainability Team, Sustainability Consultants and Risk Management Team collaborate to combat ESG risks through a comprehensive and holistic approach to risks, trends and societal issues faced. Examples include reducing the aviation sector’s contribution to the climate crisis in line with the airport’s 2050 Net Zero commitment, taking precautionary measures for extreme weather events, reducing information security risks and water resource management.
To align environmental efforts with financial strategies, iGA Istanbul Airport plans to implement ‘Shadow Carbon Pricing’, which allows the airport to assign a financial value to the investment costs associated with reducing GHG emissions, therefore forming a critical component of the company’s long-term strategic roadmap. Aligning environmental initiatives and sustainability goals with the carbon price will allow the airport to focus on future emissions reduction projects and make significant progress towards the 2050 Net Zero Commitment.
The future of mobility
Due to the power of rapidly changing technologies, both the aviation and mobility sectors experience profound transformations, and iGA Istanbul Airport is dedicated to staying at the forefront of this. Through partnerships with stakeholders, this integration of mobility services offers an important opportunity to increase passenger and employee satisfaction, whilst reducing the environmental impacts of airport operations. Committed to improving customer experience and passenger satisfaction throughout all elements of operations, iGA Istanbul Airport places great importance on implementing a safe and welfare-oriented travel experience for all through digital and innovative solutions and the development of mobility opportunities.
Environmental integrity & decarbonisation
iGA Istanbul Airport has consistently and effectively operated energy and greenhouse gas emissions since the airport’s opening in 2019, and developed a 2050 Net Zero roadmap to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Within this, the airport aims for a 45% emission reduction by 2030 and a 73% reduction by 2040 compared to the base year, with the ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. This initiative, alongside energy-efficient practices, is complemented by the implementation of zero-emission technologies, the transition of renewable energy and afforestation activities to create carbon sinks.
As well as this, the airport received A-grade in the CDP Climate Change programme, reflecting ongoing sustainability efforts, and has advanced renewable energy plans over the past year to support the net zero target. The airport adapts a life cycle approach to determine carbon footprint including taking all elements of passenger transportation, ground services and terminal operation processes.
iGA Istanbul Airport is also highly committed to its efforts to reduce waste and increase recovery rates, and is proud to have been the first airport in Türkiye to receive the Zero-Waste Certificate.
In 2023, iGA Istanbul Airport successfully separated 53,135 tons of waste generated within its ecosystem, recycling 34.66% of the separated waste. This prevented 1,079 tons of carbon emissions and avoided the use of more than 100,000 tons of oil.
As well as this, iGA Istanbul Airport also manages a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which includes bird monitoring and protection, afforestation, wildlife management, and species protection and monitoring activities.
Value for society, guests and employees
iGA Istanbul Airport has actively implemented its Social Investment Programme since 2016, and in 2023, key focus areas included developing local skills and empowering communities, integrating women into socio-economic life, and supporting young people. As part of this, iGA successfully completed the Rehabilitation and Development of Beekeeping Project in the villages adjacent to the airport. The airport’s goal through initiatives such as this is to create social benefits that come hand in hand with sustainable developments.
Other social projects conducted by iGA Istanbul Airport include the Newton Flight Academy Istanbul, the Women’s Hands to Children’s Hearts – Knitted Doll Project, iGA Art and the iGA Academy. Alongside this and throughout operations, the airport is dedicated to working on improving educational services by supporting local schools, supporting vulnerable groups including disabled travellers, and promoting diversity and inclusiveness.
Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport notes: “I am immensely proud of iGA Istanbul Airport’s role in transforming the positive future of the aviation industry for future generations. In 2023, under the expert guidance of our Sustainability Management Team and support from our stakeholders, our global hub once again exceeded expectations and targets in our commitment to environmental and social improvements. Sustainability is integral to our culture, and I am optimistic for the future as we continue to strive towards our 2030 Sustainability Goals.”
To view the full version of the 2023 Sustainability Report for iGA Istanbul Airport, visit here
