22 April 2024
AirNav Ireland Sustainability Plan 2024-2029 launched at Cork Airport by Minister of State at Department of Transport, Jack Chambers TD.
Recent environmental initiative yielded an estimated 66,000 kilos of carbon savings following 30-day trial carried out by AirNav Ireland, Cork Airport, Aer Lingus and Ryanair.
AirNav Ireland has launched its new Sustainability Management Plan 2024-2029. AirNav Ireland is committed to examining ways to reduce aviation’s’ environmental footprint. As part of this commitment, AirNav Ireland recently initiated a trial with Ryanair and Aer Lingus for aircraft arriving at Cork Airport. This trial has resulted in an estimated CO₂ savings of approximately 66,000 kilos. In real terms this is a flight from Dublin to New York.
The results have been released at the launch of the AirNav Ireland Sustainability Management Plan 2024-2029 by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers TD at Cork Airport on Friday, 19th April 2024.
Minister Chambers said:
“Reducing emissions from aviation is one of the most challenges facing us in addressing the climate emergency. AirNav Ireland’s Sustainability Management Plan is ambitious; it is deliverable, and it is a really strong example of the public sector leading by example in taking the actions required to meet our climate objectives.
They already have a strong record of delivery and innovation in this area and I look forward to seeing this plan delivered on in the years ahead. Recent environmental trials have already yielded very impressive outcomes and I welcome their expansion in the future.
These impressive results would not have been achieved were it not for AirNav’s engagement and collaboration with Cork Airport, Aer Lingus and Ryanair.”
AirNav Ireland, Cork Airport, Aer Lingus and Ryanair recently participated in an environmental trial for arrivals at Cork Airport. The trial was to evaluate shorter arrival routings during quieter traffic periods. This saw certain arrivals into Cork Airport being facilitated with new operating procedures, which helped reduce kilometres flown, fuel burn and CO₂ emissions.
AirNav Ireland air traffic controllers in the Air Traffic Control Centre at Cork Airport and the En Route Centre in Ballycasey, Co Clare worked with Aer Lingus and Ryanair to safely allow these shorter arrival procedures.
Based on initial calculations, the trial saved approx. 21,000 kilos of fuel leading to a reduction of 66,000 kilos of CO₂.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustainability Management Plan, Dr Peter Kearney, CEO AirNav Ireland, welcomed the co-operation of the airport and airlines in these trials.
“This trial shows AirNav Ireland’s commitment to reduce Ireland aviation’s’ environmental footprint with the trial contributing to an estimated reduction of 66,000 kilos of CO₂. Based on the results of the trial AirNav Ireland, along with Irish airlines, will continue to look for innovative ways to safely introduce new environmental initiatives in Irish controlled airspace. AirNav is working with the airlines with a view to continuing the trial and expanding it to other airports where possible.
“AirNav Ireland has a strong history of introducing environmental initiatives in Irish controlled airspace and at Irish airports. Ireland is the second country in Europe to introduce Free Route in the upper Airspace December 2009. This was extended into the lower airspace in 2017. Free route airspace (FRA) is a concept of providing air traffic services in which an operator can choose their route subject to only a few limitations.”
“In addition, initiatives such as high intensity runway operations and reduced departure intervals at Dublin Airport have all contributed to a reduction in Irelands aviation footprint. We look forward to working with Aer Lingus, Ryanair and daa to continue to reduce CO₂ in this sector,” he said.
AirNav Ireland Sustainability Management Plan 2024- 2029 has three fundamental pillars, Energy, Biodiversity and Governance AirNav - Sustainability Management Plan (2024-2029)
Energy: We are implementing a broad range of measures which will reduce our carbon footprint and improve the energy efficiency of our infrastructure. Further, we will use innovative technologies that have shown their value in this regard.
Biodiversity. We will enhance our comprehension of the biodiversity present within our property and will work in close co-operation with external partners to enhance and protect our ecosystems.
Governance: We will focus on the development and implementation of Green Procurement across our business activities.
Donal Moriarty, Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer said “Alongside investment in new technology aircraft and use of sustainable aviation fuel, increased operational efficiencies is a key pillar of our roadmap to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and Aer Lingus was delighted to take part in this trial at Cork Airport. The initiative demonstrated that emissions reductions can be made through effective preplanning by Air Traffic Control allowing aircraft to descend more efficiently. We look forward to continuing this strong working relationship.”
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said: “At Cork Airport, we are fully committed to playing our part with our stakeholders in driving forward Ireland’s sustainable aviation agenda. We are Ireland’s number one semi-state commercial company for energy reduction, as determined by SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) for two years running. We were delighted to work with AirNav Ireland, Aer Lingus and Ryanair to further reduce overall emissions from our airport as a result of this initiative.”
Participating in this trial with Cork Airport, Aer Lingus and Ryanair is part of AirNav Ireland’s commitment to exceed Government requirements by achieving Carbon net zero by 2030.