Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), announced that BIA has become the world's first airport to attain the coveted International Air Transport Association (IATA) Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Certification.This ground breaking achievement highlights BIA's innovative approach to environmental sustainability and responsible operations.
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East (AME), handed the certification to Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, Bahrain Airport Company Chief Executive Office, at the GFG pavilion during the second day of the Bahrain International Airshow, which took place at Sakhir Air Base from November 13-15 under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from BAC's health and safety department.
The IEnvA programme, established by IATA over a decade ago, has been instrumental in enhancing the environmental performance of airlines, aligning with the ISO 14001 standard. In July 2022, IATA expanded the programme to encompass airports and ground handling companies, recognising the crucial role these stakeholders play in minimising the aviation industry’s environmental footprint.
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator of BIA, enrolled in the IEnvA programme in February 2023. The rigorous certification process involved five stages, including comprehensive gap analyses and on site assessments conducted by IATA experts. BIA successfully demonstrated its adherence to stringent environmental management standards and its dedication to continuous improvement.
Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, Bahrain Airport Company Chief Executive Officer, said “Achieving the world's first IEnvA airport certification is a remarkable milestone, reflecting BAC's strategic dedication to minimising the airport environmental footprint. This achievement is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the entire airport community, who have embraced our strategic objective. By minimising our environmental impact, we not only enhance our own performance but also contribute to a more sustainable future for the entire aviation industry.
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East (AME), commended BIA’s accomplishment, “I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Bahrain Airport for being the first airport to achieve full IEnvA Certification. This is a remarkable achievement that reflects their unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability and responsible business practices through robust environmental management plans with continual performance improvements. I commend the efforts of everyone involved and wish Bahrain Airport continued success in improving their sustainability performance. This certification cements BAC's commitment to a sustainable future for aviation, setting a new industry standard for environmental performance and responsible operations worldwide.