Cyprus' airports as green transition role models

The two airports of Cyprus—Larnaca and Paphos—have joined forces with 558 other airports globally under the management of Hermes Airports, taking a leading role in sustainable operations.

This collective international effort led to a reduction of one million tonnes of CO₂ emissions through the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.

About the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program

The Airport Carbon Accreditation, an initiative of the Airports Council International (ACI), is the only global certification for managing and reducing carbon dioxide emissions at airports. It assesses airport operators’ efforts in mapping, calculating, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions from activities under their direct control.

Larnaca and Paphos airports currently hold Level 4+ certification—the second-highest available. This confirms not only significant emission reductions in their operations but also the implementation of measures to lower the carbon footprint of third parties, thereby contributing to a broader green ecosystem.

Sustainable initiatives and energy efficiency projects

Since 2010, over 95 energy efficiency projects have been implemented at the two airports. Solar parks now supply nearly 28% of annual energy needs. Additionally, the replacement of over 12,000 lighting fixtures with LED technology has led to a reduction of more than 33% in electricity consumption.

EU-funded electrification infrastructure

Recently, Hermes Airports secured approval from the European Union for an investment of €3.6 million under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF-AFIF) program. This will fund the installation of Electric Ground Power Units (EGPs) at boarding gates. These units will enable aircraft to use electric power during parking, instead of relying on engines or diesel-powered units—significantly reducing noise pollution and CO₂ emissions.

Circular economy in airport operations

Within the European TULIPS Green Airports consortium, which includes 31 partners, Hermes Airports has also upgraded its Health and Safety department offices by adopting circular economy practices, such as reusing construction materials.

Strategic goals for sustainable growth

The airports aim to further adopt green technologies in the coming years through innovation and international collaborations, supporting their sustainable development strategy. In this context, Hermes Airports has signed the collective European commitment “Net Zero 2050,” aiming for zero carbon emissions across all activities by 2050.

Global impact – Highlights from the latest ACA Report (May 2023–May 2024)

• Over 1 million tonnes of CO₂ were saved globally through the efforts of accredited airports.
• The total number of participating airports reached 558 across 87 countries, with 70 new entries and 132 airports advancing to higher accreditation levels.
• 51.5% of global passenger traffic is now handled by accredited airports.
• By the end of the reporting period, 15 airports had achieved Level 5 accreditation, meaning they had reached net zero emissions from sources under their direct control.

The original article in Flight Mode can be viewed here