23. July 2024

On the way to climate neutrality

Good interim report card for Memmingen Airport

Memmingen Airport has come another step closer to its goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. This is confirmed by the Airport Carbon Accrediation (ACA) programme, an initiative launched by the European airport association ACI Europe. The programme records the airport’s ecological footprint, identifies emissions that have already been reduced and draws up a plan for further CO2 reductions.

Under the title ‘Green Airport Memmingen’, Memmingen Airport is pursuing the goal of being able to operate southern Germany’s largest low-cost airport in a climate-neutral manner by 2030. ‘Air traffic will continue to play an important role in the future, and the requirements for sustainable development are becoming increasingly important,’ explains Airport Managing Director Ralf Schmid. ‘As an airport, we will make our contribution to this and regularly commission ACA certification in order to have our activities independently assessed.’

The independent certification system Airport Carbon Accrediation (ACA) has scrutinised the efforts made to date in the area of climate protection and has given those responsible a good interim report. The audit was carried out by an independent external assessor. According to one of the results, emissions have been further reduced compared to 2019. This primarily takes into account direct emissions from energy production and consumption of fuels for the vehicle fleet and energy for heating, as well as indirect emissions from the purchase of energy in the form of electricity and heat. All business areas and facilities operated by Flughafen Memmingen GmbH are considered. To this end, the airport has drawn up an annual CO2 balance sheet since 2019 in order to know what footprint it has left behind. The values and key figures determined serve as a reference and starting point for assessing the effects of the reduction approaches on energy and fuel consumption in subsequent years. These are reflected in planned and ongoing projects as well as in procedural instructions. ‘In particular,’ says Schmid, ’we are focusing on the use of renewable energies, improving energy efficiency, optimising airport-specific facilities and expanding our sustainable mobility.’ The ACA certification programme currently provides a common framework for CO2 management for over 560 participating airports worldwide.

Memmingen Airport is constantly working on a sustainability programme that encompasses the fields of economy, social affairs with the areas of personnel management and safety as well as ecology. This includes, in particular, energy, environmental, waste and water management and issues relating to the efficient use of resources.

The long-term goal is to achieve climate neutrality in the area of infrastructure emissions by 2030. Compared to the reference year 2019, around 50 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger are to be achieved by then. The airport cannot directly influence emissions caused by the operation of air traffic by third parties, particularly airline partners. However, numerous efforts are also underway in this area. For example, the airport is supporting a feasibility study on the implementation of an infrastructure for alternative forms of energy at airports and aerodromes. With regard to the necessary change in the aviation industry, the airport is promoting measures relating to the development of cross-project developments for electric and hydrogen-powered aviation as well as the implementation of the blending of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

In September 2015, the United Nations launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2030 Agenda, which are to be achieved by 2030. ‘We at Memmingen Airport are committed to the SDGs and are making our contribution to achieving the goals,’ emphasises Managing Director Ralf Schmid.

One step of many on the way to climate neutrality: the e-charging infrastructure has been expanded. Opposite the terminal, four charging points are available in front of the car hire centre and six behind it. The electricity comes from the open-air photovoltaic roof.

Press contact

Marina Speiser

+49 8331 9725 121

marina.speiser@memmingen-airport.com

© 2025 Flughafen Memmingen GmbH
Allgäu