SATS becomes APAC’s first ground handler to join IATA Environmental Assessment Program

SATS has become the first ground handling service provider in Asia Pacific to join International Air Transport Association (IATA’s) Environmental Assessment Program (IEnvA). IATA’s program for ground service provides a framework for achieving environmental sustainability across all ground operations, such as cargo handling, apron and passenger services. The vigorous assessment involves training and workshops to ensure proper implementation of the standards prescribed in the IEnvA Standards Manual.

SATS has invested extensively in solarization, optimization and electrification programs over the years to reduce its carbon footprint at the Changi Airport. SATS has deployed one of the largest solar arrays at Changi Airport spanning about seven football fields, generating more than 10,000 MWh of solar energy annually. It has also replaced more than 800 high-bay lights in the cargo warehouses with energy-saving LED lights, abating 225 tonnes of CO₂e

Bob Chi, CEO of Gateway Services, SATS Ltd., said: “Aligning ourselves with international best practices in environmental management allows SATS to plug into IATA’s platform to introduce world-class standards to the partners we support. Using IEnvA’s standards to guide our performance, we create a bigger impact with our sustainability initiatives by adding to the efforts of other players in the ecosystem using this same standard.”

“IEnvA has a solid track record of improving the environmental performance of airlines. As the aviation industry committed to improving sustainability, including achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the expansion of IEnvA to Airports and Ground Handling Service Providers (GHSPs) is critical,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, SVP sustainability and chief economist, IATA. “With SATS’ pioneering participation among the first ground handlers in the expanded program, we are building momentum towards the industry’s sustainability goals,”

SATS believes that joining IEnvA will augment its environmental and sustainability performance to create a bigger impact on the aviation industry’s environmental sustainability.