TAV IT

sustaınabılıty and the envıronment
Airport Operation and its Environmental Impact
Operations carried out at the airports inevitably closely impact
the environment where they are located. The environmental
problems arise particularly as a result of the expansion of
airports that are located outside of cities, as well as the
expansion of the cities they serve. As a result of the airports
being located near the cities, they become integrated with the
cities’ own environmental problems and create environmental
impacts.
Operational activities carried out at the airports that have
environmental impacts are listed below:
• Landing, takeoff and maneuvering of aircraft;
• Operation of all motor vehicles and construction equipment
serving the airports;
• Chemicals used for clearing the aircraft and runways of snow
and ice;
• Storage needs and leakage risk of fuel, oils and similar
chemicals used in aircraft;
• Construction work performed for the maintenance, repair,
modification and expansion of airport terminals, runways, aprons
and taxi routes;
• Chemicals and work needed for the maintenance, repair and
cleaning of the terminals, operation buildings, vehicles and
construction equipment, airplanes and other aircraft.
The headings listed above have environmental impacts not just
because of the emissions of chemicals, gases such as smoke
and steam, liquids and solid wastes; but also because of noise,
light, population density, and even the change in topographical
structure.
It is undoubtedly true that an airport forever changes the
environment where it is built. Wildlife, vegetation cover and the
like will never be as they were before.
However, this change need not be harmful, destroy the
environment or negatively impact nature, as it is usually
perceived. Many more environmental projects have been
undertaken in the last ten years of the 20th century and the first
nine years of the 21st century. Airplanes emit nearly a quarter
less of the noise now than previously, and according to some
sources, exhaust gas emissions have been reduced by almost
45%. Aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturers conscientiously
fulfill their duties.
Airports now act very conscientiously to minimize environmental
impact and even expend efforts to make contributions. To offer
a few examples, the factors taken into serious consideration by
airport operators include measures such as renewable energy
systems, utilization of environmentally friendly maintenance,
repair and cleaning materials, acceleration of replacing ground
service vehicles powered by diesel or gasoline fired internal
combustion engines with electric vehicles, utilization of terminal
and service building designs that do not significantly impact
the topographical structure and that take into consideration the
natural wind flows and surface structure, and heavier utilization
of plants that are important for wildlife in landscaping.
Without contenting themselves with only these measures,
airport operators force aircraft and engine manufacturers to
develop more environmentally friendly airplanes, helicopters and
similar aircraft. For example, while the noise level of a typical
jet engine during takeoff was around 170 to 185 Decibels in the
1970s, today some airports fine individuals or companies whose
airplanes exceed the noise level of 90 Decibels during takeoff.
Furthermore, as emission (exhaust and similar gases) standards
become more strict, airplanes that leave behind a black cloud of
smoke can only be found in museums or salvage yards.
While liquid and solid waste materials were negligently dumped
into the nearest stream or shore before, now great efforts are
undertaken for the recycling of these wastes and the laws and
regulations on this issue are getting stricter by the day. Solutions
are designed for the recycling and re-usage of the water used,
and these solutions are turned into concrete projects, especially
in Middle Eastern countries.
The environmental matters discussed here are taken into
consideration by all people and companies active in the aviation
and airport operation sector. The environment also tops the
agenda of authorities such as IATA and ACI.
TAV Airports displays a particular sensitivity to the environment.
As part of the “Trigeneration Project” implemented at the
İstanbul Atatürk Airport, the Company is increasing its
contribution to the environment through facilities that are
self-sufficient in energy and air conditioning needs. This project
reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 40% because of the use of
natural gas in electricity generation, compared to fossil fuel-fired
electricity generation plants, TAV Airports is also studying the
feasibility of solar energy. The Company’s airports and terminals
in Tunisia, Antalya Gazipaşa and İzmir that can most benefit