International regulations have been imposed on the world's airports; new, useful applications are coming to phase out old methods of travel; while some of the most beautiful hotels in the world base their entire philosophy on recyclable materials and renewable energy.
In this context, Athens International Airport sets a very high bar for Sustainable Development, a value that remains firmly a priority in its daily operation.
After all, it is no coincidence that many of the initiatives implemented from the airport's first day of operation go far beyond what we call "corporate responsibility."
Important examples are the active participation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation voluntary program of the Airports International Council of Europe (ACI Europe) for the Management and Reduction of Airport Carbon Emissions and the non-negotiable fact that Athens International Airport remains, as of 2016, the only airport in our country with a Neutral Carbon Balance.
An ambitious plan for a better, more sustainable future
Added to all of the above is the "ROUTE 2025" initiative, which was officially announced by Athens International Airport in 2019 and is an ambitious and promising plan for the sustainable future of the airport.
The plan draws its own green road map on the international stage while laying a solid foundation for future collaborations and innovative initiatives.
But what is the "ROUTE 2025" initiative?
This is a substantial, practical commitment from AIA to achieve a zero carbon footprint by 2025, which means a full 25 years ahead of 2050, the date announced by most European airports.
In order to achieve the above, Athens International Airport will exclusively consume renewable electricity, which will be produced exclusively within the airport's facilities to cover electricity needs.
"Green generation," combined with replacing Natural Gas use with heat pumps and converting most of AIA's vehicle fleet to electric, zeroes out carbon emissions from electricity and almost eliminates those from fossil fuel consumption, such as natural gas, oil, etc.
To achieve this goal, from April 2023, AIA put into operation the largest photovoltaic self-generation station in Greece, dynamically placing our country on the global map of sustainable destinations. This station already produces 45% of the airport's electricity.
In conjunction with this and the airport's first solar park that has been operating since 2011, AIA is preparing the next phase of this monumental project: an additional 35.5 MW installation to be completed by 2025, with the aim of fully covering the annual electricity needs until 2046.
In a complex era where the environment and its fate cannot leave us indifferent and uninvolved, the new philosophy of travel seems to be reconciled with the need for efficient and sustainable development.
With the goal of a better tomorrow, environmental consistency and responsibility towards ourselves, our children, and future generations, AIA creates a model airport that inspires us all and lays the foundations for our future.
READ MORE: Greece’s Tourism Revenues Decline 1.8% Despite Increase in Arrivals.