Airport Sustainability Practicesâ€"Drivers and Outcomes for Small Commercial and General Aviation Airports

Abstract

Over the last several years airport operators have introduced green initiatives in order to improve the overall sustainability of their airports. Drivers could include financial viability, staffing considerations, or other social or environmental factors. There is a significant compilation of sustainability practices from larger airports, but a less robust description of initiatives for smaller airports. This report focuses on drivers and outcomes of green initiatives undertaken at small commercial and general aviation airports. Information used in this study was acquired through a review of the literature and survey or interviews with airport operators at small and general aviation airports. Although the study found that more than half of small airports have adopted one or more sustainable initiatives and almost 20% have a formal sustainability plan in place, many of those participating in the study do not believe that their airport has an impact on the environment, and because of lack of funding and different priorities, they choose not to pursue sustainable initiatives. However, sustainability is more than environmental initiatives. These are barriers, but more airports will pursue sustainable initiatives if more funding is made available, sustainability incentives are created, or sustainability becomes a mandate.