Greece Outlines Actions for Greener Air Transport

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras at the “2024 ICAO Seminar on Green Airports”. Photo source: Goulielmos Antoniou

Sustainable aviation fuels, redesigning airports, and the integration of renewable energy sources are top priorities for Greece’s transition to a more sustainable future, said Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras during the “2024 ICAO Seminar on Green Airports” held in Athens this week.

Addressing the event which this year focuses on environmental protection, Staikouras outlined the ministry’s action plan to for the transition to a “green” model of air transport which limits the environmental footprint of continuously growing air traffic.

Indicatively, in 2023, said Staikouras, Greece welcomed some 72 million passengers, a 14 percent increase compared to 2022, with the first months of 2024 seeing an even higher growth rate.

Among others, Greece aims to develop airports with a low carbon and environmental footprint, focusing on Sustainable Aviation Fuels and the utilization of Clean Energy Sources and to create new solutions for airport infrastructure that is resilient to climate change.

Greece is also currently implementing actions in the framework of the ‘‘Fit for 55’’ package, the RefuelEU aviation regulation, the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change, and the use of renewable energy sources by airport facilities.

The ground equipment of Goldair Handling at Athens International Airport mostly operate with sustainable energy sources.

“Many airports in Greece have the potential to use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen and we are striving to develop policies and incentives towards the transitioning to cleaner energy sources,” he said.

He cited Athens Airport for ambitious initiatives to minimize its environmental footprint and its commitment to the Route 2025 initiative, aiming to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2025, much earlier than the aviation industry’s target for 2050.

“Greece aspires to be at the forefront in this effort, not only because it is an EU commitment, but also because it aligns with the sustainable development model promoted by the Greek government, in all areas of the transport sector,” he said.