Simple, Industry Standards for Environmental Friendliness in Business Aviation

Business aviation flight departments have a new tool to aim for more eco-friendly operations with NBAA's new sustainability assistance. The Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation Program will allow a solid, consistent framework for those looking for simple, industry-standard guidance in pursuing environmental goals. 2022 NBAA-BACE will see the first crop of accredited entities for those submitted prior to March 31. 

The NBAA says the program aims to "further advance a sustainability culture in the business aviation community by encouraging participants to think and act critically and implement as many sustainability strategies as possible, while recognizing the diversity of business aviation operations." The program contains Accreditation standards for reducing environmental impact through 4 major areas of business aviation. Flight aims to add efficiencies and minimize waste through effective, intelligent flight planning. Operations guidance focuses on optimizing a "sustainability culture", through fostering an awareness of waste within the company and implementation of environmental programs. Ground support operations advice relates to the use of sustainable equipment and vehicles, like tugs or ground transport being changed for better, more 'green' versions if available. Infrastructure accreditation focuses on enhancing sustainability in physical infrastructures, from hangars to offices. 

“The Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation program creates a mechanism for members to align with their overall corporate strategy,” said Stewart D’Leon, NBAA director, environmental and technical operations. “It gives them an avenue to work towards sustainability and be acknowledged for the work they are doing by having a third party, NBAA, audit and verify the information they are presenting. The program also provides a path for members who are just getting started in the sustainability effort.”

FMI: www.nbaa.org