iGA Istanbul Airport, a gateway to the world with its unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is pleased to announce the results of its latest Sustainability Report 2023, which shows a continued commitment to a better future for both humanity and for the environment. In this report, driven by the overall vision “Focus on the planet, target for the future”, the airport documents its social impact generated through social investment projects with valued stakeholders and reflects on successful outcomes and tangible improvements to the airport’s sustainability. activities and objectives during 2023.

As an important global hub and meeting point of different cultures, iGA Istanbul Airport has been named the busiest airport in Europe 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, along with employing staff to provide these services. Among these, the airport still proudly recognizes and adheres to its deep social and economic responsibility to operate sustainably to contribute to the industry’s efforts to adapt to climate change. Notable achievements in this field include iGA Istanbul Airport obtaining the ACI Europe Level 4 Carbon Accreditation Certificate 2023 and Greenstars Certification 2023 – Turkey’s first national sustainability certificate – among several other prestigious awards that prove its standard of excellence.

iGA Istanbul Airport has established a comprehensive plan of sustainability goals for 2030, which aims to reduce and manage social and environmental impact, while taking positive steps forward for the mobility sector. They are divided into the three basic pillars of the future of mobility, environmental integrity and generating value for people.

Risk management and carbon pricing

The sustainability team, sustainability consultants and risk management team collaborate to combat ESG risks through a comprehensive and holistic approach to the risks, trends and societal issues they face. Examples include reducing the aviation sector’s contribution to the climate crisis in line with the airport’s 2050 Net Zero commitment, taking precautions for extreme weather events, reducing information security risks and managing water resources.

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, thus forming a critical component of the company in the long term . strategic roadmap. Aligning environmental initiatives and sustainability goals with the carbon price will allow the airport to focus on future emission 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 are experiencing profound transformations, and iGA ​​Istanbul Airport is dedicated to staying at the forefront of this. Through partnerships with stakeholders, this integration of mobility services provides an important opportunity to increase passenger and employee satisfaction while reducing the environmental impact of airport operations. Committed to improving customer experience and passenger satisfaction in all elements of operations, iGA Istanbul Airport attaches great importance to implementing a safe and well-being-oriented travel experience for all through digital and innovative solutions and the development of mobility opportunities.

Environmental integrity and decarbonisation

iGA Istanbul Airport has consistently and efficiently operated energy and greenhouse gas emissions since the airport opened in 2019 and has developed a Net Zero 2050 roadmap to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Under this, the airport aims for a 45% reduction in emissions 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, along with energy efficient practices, is complemented. by implementing zero emission technologies, renewable energy transition and afforestation activities to create carbon sinks.

In addition, the airport has been awarded an A in CDP’s 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 adopts a life-cycle approach to determine its carbon footprint, including taking into account all elements of passenger transport, ground handling and terminal operating processes.

iGA Istanbul Airport is also very committed to its efforts to reduce waste and increase recovery rates and is proud to have been the first airport in Turkey to receive the Zero-Waste Certificate.

In 2023, iGA Istanbul Airport successfully separated 53,135 tons of waste generated in 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.

In addition to 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 been actively implementing its Social Investment Program since 2016, and in 2023, key focus areas included local skills development and community empowerment, women’s integration into socio-economic life, and youth support. As part of this, iGA has successfully completed the Rehabilitation and Development of Beekeeping Project in the villages adjacent to the airport. The aim of the airport, through initiatives like this, is to create social benefits that go hand in hand with sustainable development.

Other social projects carried out by iGA Istanbul Airport include Newton Flight Academy Istanbul, Women’s Hands to Children’s Hearts – Knitted Doll Project, iGA Art and iGA ​​Academy. In addition to this and throughout operations, the airport is dedicated to working to improve education services by supporting local schools, supporting vulnerable groups, including disabled travelers, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport notes: “I am extremely proud of iGA Istanbul Airport’s role in transforming the positive future of the aviation industry for generations to come. In 2023, under the expert guidance of our sustainability management team and the support of our stakeholders, our global hub once again exceeded expectations and goals in our commitment to social and environmental improvements. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and I am optimistic for the future as we continue to strive to achieve our 2030 Sustainability Goals.”

To view the full version of the 2023 Sustainability Report for iGA Istanbul Airport, visit Here