Flughafen Zürich AG, a leading player in international airport operations, has once again achieved major successes in the field of sustainability. Florianópolis and Vitória airports in Brazil were recognized as the most sustainable airports in their category in the latest awards given by the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). This not only underlines the effectiveness of the airport operator's environmental strategies, but also the successful expansion of its international presence.

The award for Florianópolis and Vitória airports is based on a comprehensive assessment of their environmental strategies. Since their takeover by Flughafen Zürich AG, these airports have made significant progress towards sustainability through a variety of measures. This includes switching the energy supply to electrical energy, which has already made a decisive contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. This applies to both the energy supply for aircraft and the air conditioning, which was previously provided by kerosene-powered auxiliary engines.

Another notable feature is the switch to low-emission fuels and the introduction of electric vehicles in the airport fleet. Fuel purchases are entirely based on renewable energy, further minimizing environmental impact. In addition, wastewater is reused through a treatment plant to irrigate green areas, optimizing resource use. The recycling rate at Florianópolis Airport has increased from 39% to an impressive 81% since the takeover. Both airports have also achieved Level 2 in the Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation program, which certifies the proven reduction of environmental emissions.

Successful foreign engagement of Flughafen Zürich AG

These awards are not the first for Florianópolis and Vitória airports. Both airports have also received recognition from the Brazilian Ministry of Transport for their infrastructure quality, staff friendliness and overall passenger satisfaction. The repeated award as “Best Airports in Brazil” underlines the continued excellence in these areas. In addition, both airports have once again been recognized as “Green Airport” by the ACI, confirming their continuous efforts to be environmentally friendly.

Flughafen Zürich AG has expanded its international influence through investments in a total of nine airports outside Switzerland. In addition to Florianópolis and Vitória, the airports of Macaé and Natal in Brazil are also fully part of the company's portfolio. Belo Horizonte is a minority holding. This expansion in Latin America shows Flughafen Zürich AG's commitment to setting not only national but also international standards in airport operations.

Strategic importance and future prospects

Flughafen Zürich AG has a clear strategy to promote sustainable airport operations on a global level. This strategy is part of its broader goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Flughafen Zürich AG's Chief International Officer, Daniel Bircher, highlights that the track record in Brazil is a confirmation that the company's international projects are pursued with the same high sustainability goals as those in Zurich.

This strategy is also reflected in the other international commitments of Flughafen Zürich AG. The company is not only active in Brazil, but also has interests in airports in Chile, Colombia and Curaçao. In India, a new greenfield airport is currently being built in Noida, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2025 and will also be designed to the highest environmental standards.

The repeated awards given to Florianópolis and Vitória airports as the most sustainable airports in their category are proof of the successful implementation of environmentally friendly measures by Flughafen Zürich AG. These successes underline the importance of a holistic approach to airport management that combines environmental friendliness and efficiency. With its international commitment, Flughafen Zürich AG is setting standards for sustainable airport operations worldwide and demonstrating how significant progress in the area of ​​sustainability can be achieved on a global level through strategic investments and innovations.