By Scott Wright
MENZIES Aviation has vowed to make its operations carbon neutral – in time for the Edinburgh-based company’s 200-year anniversary in 2033.
The aviation logistics specialist, which provides services such as cargo handling and aircraft de-icing to airlines around the world, believes it is the first company of its kind to make this commitment. It has formalised the initiative by becoming a signatory to the UN Global Compact in 2020, which supports the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The company, which branched out into aviation after spending most of its history in newspaper distribution, said it will invest in electric ground support equipment, reduce emissions by identifying operational efficiencies, and carbon offset under its move to carbon neutrality.
It cited its new contract with Qatar Airways at Gothenburg and Stockholm airports, which has allowed the company to invest in three new electric baggage tractors and two new electric aircraft loaders.
Chief executive Philipp Joeinig said: “Menzies is a business that has constantly adapted and what better way to mark our 200-year anniversary in 2033 than to celebrate our next era of environmental sustainability by achieving carbon neutrality.”
“As flight volumes recover we see an opportunity to rebuild the aviation industry to be more sustainable, and we will be taking advantage of this to promote greener operations across our entire business. With our Sustainability Strategy and Programme now in place, we have clearly defined targets and supporting action plans to help realise them, however it is critical that we build relationships across the aviation ecosystem, from trade bodies to suppliers, to ensure that we can collectively remove barriers to green innovation and adoption.”
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