Environmental sustainability will be an even stronger focus at Longreach Airport following the awarding of Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

Under Level 1, awarded to Longreach Airport in February last year, an airport is required to ‘map’ its carbon footprint by collecting independently verified data on its carbon emissions. Level 2 accreditation builds on this and is an acknowledgement of the airport’s success in achieving its reduction goals.

Longreach Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the Level 2 accreditation was confirmation of the team’s dedication to reducing the airport’s carbon footprint.

“We have already made significant steps in reducing the carbon footprint at Longreach Airport, with our solar array on the terminal roof generating a considerable percentage of the airport’s power,” he said.

“Level 2 carbon accreditation is recognition of our commitment to ensuring we look after our environment and reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can.

“We have instigated a range of initiatives to move in this direction, including installing LED lights throughout our facilities.”

Initiatives include:

- upgrade of airfield lighting to LED fixtures and fittings

- transition of all other lighting to LED upgrades to enhance efficiency

- monitoring and reporting of fuel usage

- use of solar power installations

- improved waste management

Longreach Airport installed 396 solar panels on the roof of the terminal building in 2016, offsetting about 95 per cent of the airport’s electricity usage during daylight hours.

Longreach Airport has been invited to formally receive its accreditation certificate at the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly in Nara, Japan in April 2020.

Airports Council International Asia Pacific Regional Director Patti Chau congratulated the Longreach Airport team on the accreditation.

“I wish to congratulate Longreach Airport for achieving accreditation at Level 2, Reduction,” Mrs Chau said.

“The accreditation demonstrates the airport’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. We look forward to working closely with the airport in their journey towards carbon neutrality.”

QAL is a regional airport specialist also operating airports on the Gold Coast, in Townsville and Mount Isa.

Gold Coast and Townsville airports have already achieved Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation status, while Mount Isa has submitted its application for Level 2 accreditation.

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