Source: ACI-LAC

On Monday afternoon (6), during the ACI-LAC Annual Assembly, Conference & Exhibition 2023 in Miami, the Airports Council for Latin America and the Caribbean celebrated the commitment of airports in the region to developing and implementing innovative projects in two key areas for the airport industry: decarbonization and improving the passenger experience.

The Green Airport Recognition aims to promote initiatives by airports in Latin America and the Caribbean in various areas of airport environmental management, such as waste management, energy efficiency, carbon emissions management and adaptation to climate change. This year’s Green Airport Recognition has the support of ACI-LAC’s business partner (WBP) TAV Technologies, one of the main technology providers in the airport market.

Fourteen initiatives from airport operators in Latin America and the Caribbean, members of ACI-LAC, met the requirements according to the judging panel and were awarded the Green Airport Recognition 2023. Find out more about the winning projects

  • “Energy assessment and optimization of the wastewater purification and air conditioning systems at Quito airport” – Corporación Quiport (Ecuador)
  • “Sustainable management of waste and materials in the New Jorge Chávez Expansion Project” – Lima Airport Partners (Peru)
  • “Plastic-free Baltra” – ECOGAL (Ecuador)
  • “Building accessibility with lids” – CORIPORT (Costa Rica)
  • “Stakeholder integration plan – El Dorado Airport – OPAIN (Colombia)
  • “Implementing technologies to save energy and reduce carbon emissions” – OMA (Mexico)
  • “Sustainable alternative for the use of coffee waste” – SACSA (Colombia)
  • “Optimization of the air-conditioning system at the International Airport of the Americas” – AERODOM (Dominican Republic)
  • “Sustainable Improvement of Boilers” – Nuevo Pudahuel (Chile)
  • “Action Plan for the operation of an energy-efficient airport” – AERIS Holding Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
  • “Sustainable waste container initiative” – Concessionária dos Aeroportos da Amazônia (Brazil)
  • “400Hz + PCA Project – Supply of electrical power and air conditioning for aircraft on the ground” – BH Airports (Brazil)

Brazilian airports featured in Green Airport Recognition

In the 2023 edition of the Green Airport Recognition, which awards member airports with initiatives that reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impacts, ACI-LAC awarded a special mention in the “Circular Economy” category to Zurich Airport Brasil, which operates three airports in the country – Floripa Airport, Vitória Airport and Macaé Airport – for implementing the “Aqua Project” initiative. The project consists of reusing, reducing and monitoring the airports’ water resources. At Floripa Airport, for example, 45% of the water used in bathrooms and air conditioning is reused. The Aqua Project also extends to public schools around the terminals with environmental education actions, such as beach clean-ups. In the “Mitigation and adaptation to climate change” category, Salvador Airport received a special mention for its “Energy Efficiency at Salvador Airport” project. The airport’s energy consumption is managed through data analysis, operational controls and is the result of a set of actions, such as taking advantage of natural light, automation of the air conditioning system, use of more efficient equipment, among other actions. Salvador Airport also has Brazil’s largest airport solar plant, with a generating capacity of 4.2MW, which can supply around 30% of the terminal’s consumption with clean energy.

First edition of the Young Professional Award values innovation in the passenger experience

The winner of the inaugural Young Professional Award was industrial engineer Hugo Lechuga Gilt, head of Peru’s Andean Integrated Airport Management System. The project presented proposes a more autonomous experience in the airport environment for people with visual impairments, reduced mobility and communication difficulties through the use of the Lazarillo app at Alfredo Rodriguez Ballón International Airport in Arequipa, Peru. The app, which is already used in the subways of the cities of Santiago (Chile) and Tampa (USA) and also in Qatar, allows users to get around independently using voice commands that offer assisted, real-time navigation on routes and services.

The Young Professional Award was created with the aim of encouraging young talent working at ACI-LAC member airports to share projects that could drive innovation in the airport industry. Over the last few months, the candidates sent in detailed studies of their ideas, pointing out technological solutions to improve the airport passenger experience. The projects were analyzed by a panel of judges made up of representatives from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). This year, the award is supported by SITA, a World Business Partners (WBP), a reference in technology solutions for the airport market.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to accessibility for all people. Thank you ACI LAC for your invaluable work and to the Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú team for your tireless dedication in the quest to improve the passenger experience, while contributing to the sustainable development of the regions where we operate.” commented Hugo Lechuga, Head of Integrated Management of Aeropuertos Andinos del Perú.

Rafael Echevarne, director general of ACI-LAC, stressed the importance of initiatives that encourage a culture of innovation in the airport industry. “Sustainability and the passenger experience are two key aspects of our industry. We have a sector commitment to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and the projects highlighted by the Green Airport Recognition are aligned with this goal. We also believe that passenger satisfaction in their travel journey drives non-aeronautical revenues and helps to consolidate the airport’s brand. In this sense, the Young Professional Award will certainly help our members to add important competitive advantages by investing in professionals who develop innovative solutio

For photos of the event please click here.