By Steve Szalay, Operations Director – Southampton Airport
2023 will be a busy and exciting year for Southampton Airport. After several years going through the planning process and subsequent legal challenges the runway extension is set to be complete in Summer 2023. The project is a vital step in securing the airport’s long-term viability. It will also deliver significant economic benefits to the region, not least the creation of much needed new jobs, but also in terms of providing vital connectivity to UK and Europe.
We would like to thank all those who have supported our runway plans over the last few years, particularly the residents and businesses who registered their support during the planning process.
We appreciate, however, that some of our neighbours have concerns regarding noise and the environment. As an airport, we want to work with the community to manage and mitigate these concerns going forward. The airport is on a journey to meet our Net-Zero targets and reduce our carbon footprint.
Navigator Quarter Tech Box
HOW’S THE AVIATION SECTOR ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS?
There is no doubting the hugely positive impacts of aviation, however, we are operating against the backdrop of legally mandated net zero targets, calls from sections of society for capacity restrictions and public support for a green recovery post COVID. Now more than ever, it’s important our sector clearly articulates our environmental plans. It’s for this reason that in 2021, AGS Airports launched its sustainability strategy setting out how we will balance the undoubted social and economic benefits we deliver with our climate change responsibilities.
Southampton, together with the wider AGS group, is a signatory to Sustainable Aviation’s decarbonisation roadmap which identifies where the reductions (30 million tonnes of CO2 per year today down to zero by 2050) will come from. These measures include smarter flight operations, new aircraft and engine technology, modernising UK airspace, the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and high-quality market-based policy measures.
PLAYING OUR PART AT SOUTHAMPTON
At Southampton, we are making tangible progress when it comes delivering a sustainable future. We have been carbon neutral since 2020 for the emissions under our direct control and we aim to achieve net zero for our direct emissions by the mid-2030s.
Our electricity is purchased from 100 per cent renewable sources and we divert 100 per cent of our waste from landfill. Together with our retail and catering partners, we are working towards eliminating single-use plastic from the terminal. In November 2022, we announced our membership of The Solent Cluster, the first major decarbonisation initiative to substantially reduce CO2 emissions from industry, transport and households across the Solent and the south coast of England. The Solent Cluster is a cross sector collaboration of international organisations, including manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, leading logistics and infrastructure operators and academic institutions. With decades of experience and expertise they are well positioned to explore future carbon capture, storage and hydrogen technologies.
Southampton Airport signed up as a member at the launch event alongside founding members the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), global energy provider ExxonMobil and University of Southampton.
Each shared details of their vision for the Solent and how it could secure existing jobs and produce low-carbon fuels for sectors including maritime and aviation, as well as providing energy to heat homes, businesses, and public buildings. This effort could position the Solent at the centre of low carbon fuel production in the UK and make a major contribution to the country’s Net Zero ambitions by 2050. The project could capture approximately three million metric tons of CO2 every year. We understand that owning and operating a critical piece and national transport infrastructure comes with responsibilities to our people, our region and to the environment.
Our purpose is “to make national and international connections that benefit our regions, helping people to prosper.”
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF AVIATION LOOK LIKE IN SOUTHAMPTON?
We have an excellent opportunity with the Freeport developments and in particular the Airport tax Site (the Navigator Quarter) to be at the cutting edge of new technologies which will revolutionise aviation. The home of the Spitfire has the chance to be the home of a new generation of Electric and Hydrogen powered aircraft.
Geographically, Southampton is the ideal location as we have genuine commercial routes of only 100 miles to the Channel Islands – ideal proving grounds for new technologies.
As featured in Central South’s PROSPER Magazine – download the full magazine here.
