Regional & City Airports (RCA), TUI and Cranfield University are collaborating to investigate potential ways to reduce the environmental impacts of aircraft turnarounds. The study is expected to report back in 2024.
The study will address gaps in current research to identify short-term emissions savings, focusing on decarbonising ground operations and reducing environmental impacts by analysing TUI aircraft turnarounds at Exeter Airport in Devon, UK, which is owned by RCA.
“Understanding more about the emissions created will give us a clear view on what mitigating measures will make the most significant impact,” said Dr Thomas Budd, Senior Lecturer and DARTeC Fellow in Airport Planning and Management, Cranfield University, “and we can then use this as a stepping stone to further decarbonisation of airport operations.”
The next step of the investigation will look into potential mitigations, such as the use of electric and other alternative fuels for airside assets, as well as other potential operational measures that could be implemented.
“This project is the latest in our ongoing collaboration with Cranfield University to help drive innovation across our industry, and is a vital part of RCA’s commitment to make our own airport operations net zero by 2040,” added Andrew Bell, Chief Executive, RCA. “We’re excited to be involved and look forward t seeing how the findings could be put into practice across our airport estate.”
Image: TUI at EXT
