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Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has been awarded a shield by the Airports Council International (ACI) for its Integrated Environment Management System at OR Tambo International Airport.

ACSA received the accolade at the recent ACI Africa Environment and Sustainable Development Awards 2023, in the category of Large-Sized Airports, held during the ACI Africa Conference and Exhibition in Dakar, Senegal.

The prestigious aviation industry awards focus on the importance of environmental management in airport business performance and are a platform for airports to showcase their green initiatives to the wider aviation community on the continent.

“We are extremely proud of the fact OR Tambo International Airport’s initiatives to operate in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, in line with ACSA’s sustainability agenda, are being recognised on the international stage,” says Jabulani Khambule, the Regional General Manager for ACSA’s airport cluster which includes OR Tambo International Airport.

Among the various and wide-ranging sustainability initiatives introduced at OR Tambo International Airport is a programme to reduce its impact on wildlife through the development of procedures that describe and outline techniques to reduce potential bird and wildlife hazards for its airports through wildlife hazard management plans.

ACSA has also implemented a programme of energy efficiency and reduction, as well as various water usage reduction initiatives at the airport. Ongoing engagements are held with the relevant regulators to ensure that the airport remains compliant with its obligations regarding environmental monitoring and reporting.

“Aviation plays an integral part in building a sustainable social, economic and political system, and ACSA has an important role to play in supporting the development, safety and security of our country’s people, as well as the sustainability of the natural environment,” says Khambule.

“OR Tambo International Airport remains committed to promoting a healthy environment, and to preserving it for the benefit of present and future generations. Our concern about the environment goes to the heart of our focus on sustainability, thus our approach is to continue to entrench sound environmental management philosophies and business practices that will sustain the airport’s value into the future.​”

The Integrated Environment Management System applies not only to the airport’s infrastructure but also to the geographical areas within which it operates its aeronautical business. Khambule notes that by integrating sustainability into OR Tambo International’s operational DNA, ACSA has signalled its unwavering determination to generate a positive societal and environmental impact while ensuring its enduring success.

“The recognition that we have received at the ACI Africa Environment and Sustainable Development Awards 2023 bears testimony to the success of the essential projects that were designed and implemented to mitigate the identified environmental risks within our airport’s operating environment. This demonstrates the way we use our inputs to secure the sustainability of our airport, contribute to the communities we serve and protect the natural environment in which we operate,” says Khambule.

“Last, but not least, I must give recognition to our dedicated OR Tambo International Airport staff who work hard to ensure that we meet the targets set out in our green initiatives and projects to safeguard our natural environment. This award will further motivate us to continue with the important work we do in this area.”

Issued by ACSA