City News

As the Region awaits a decision on Birmingham Airport’s long term future, the Airport has released a report on how it has continued to meet its promises over the last year. It also sets out minimum future environmental targets and commitments to limit the impact of its operations on local people.

Energy reductions, community investment, aircraft track-keeping improvements, better communication, and employee development are just some of the achievements featured in its latest Community & Environment Report, called ‘Growing Together’, which was launched today (Tuesday).

John Morris, the Airport’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said, “During the last year, the Airport has laid the foundations for its future aspirations and is now looking forward to a decision to be made by the Local Authority on its Plan to extend the runway. The launch of our ‘Growing Together’ report demonstrates that the Airport is committed to improving the local environment and lives of those living near the airport, working with people to grow sensibly, meeting its targets and keeping promises.”

Community investment is always a key objective for the Company and during 2007/08 more than £500,000 was spent on mitigating the impact of its operations on local people. This is achieved through schemes like the Community Trust Fund which gives grants to local projects, and the schemes that provide sound insulation to schools and homes around the Airport, protecting more than 7000 properties and invested £12m since 1978.

With noise being the biggest nuisance to local people, the Airport established ‘Noise Preferential Routes’ which are designed to take departing aircraft over the least populated areas. A target of 95% of departing aircraft to be ‘on track’ is set by the Airport and during the last financial year, it is achieved a very respectable 98.1%. This is achieved through a partnership programme called Operation Pathfinder that awards airlines for good track-keeping.

Meanwhile, the Airport’s Community & Environment Team, which has increased in size from five to seven this year, launched its Community Outreach Programme in May to increase awareness about the Airport’s operations, enabling a more open dialogue with people and encourage a greater understanding about what the key areas of concern are.

John Morris continued, “Many local people will have had first-hand experience of how the Airport has taken some major steps over the last year to reach out into the community and listen to what people think. We understand that there are people that dislike aviation or are worried about future development, but we are confident that by being totally committed to our community and environment programmes we can grow responsibly whilst giving the region an Airport that it deserves.”
 
Over the year, the Airport continually reviewed its energy efficiency measures, which led to the Airport delivering a total energy reduction of 1.3% and this resulted in a corresponding fall in the amount of CO2 produced. When measured against the base year of 2000/2001, this year’s reduction means that CO2 emissions are now 8% lower in comparison and the amount per passenger is now 24% lower, despite the growth in passenger numbers.

The Airport is home to more than 140 companies and around 7000 people and to have a smooth operation it needs to have a well trained and motivated workforce. The Airport recognises this and in 2007/08, it celebrated the achievements of 119 Airport Company employees who received awards for a wide range of qualifications available through the Company’s training and development programme. The meant that 19% of staff earned a national recognised qualification, and by continuing to work with local education bodies, the Airport hopes to increase this in the coming years.