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King County International Airport – Boeing Field (KCIA) is the first airport in the U.S. to begin the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) program, a new international certification program that helps airports and other air transport industry stakeholders towards greater environmental sustainability.
“It’s a commitment to our external customers that we’re doing everything we can to protect the environment,” said John Parrott, director of King County International Airport-Boeing Field. “It’s showing our commitment to our community that we care.”
IEnvA is based on globally recognized environmental and sustainability standards, as well as industry best practices. It is administered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 300 airlines or 83% of total air traffic.
“We are delighted to welcome KCIA as a new member of the IEnvA program,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Economist with IATA. “By joining IEnvA with the intent to achieve IEnvA Registration, KCIA will benefit from the latest industry sustainability best practices and standards of the IEnvA program, as well as contribute to its own continuous sustainability improvements. We look forward to working with KCIA to achieve our common goals of reducing environmental impacts and enhancing social responsibility.”
KCIA has already demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. For example, last month, the airport was the first in the nation to finalize purchase details for a hybrid electric fire engine, a Striker Volterra 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle. In addition, the airport is working to electrify its ground vehicle fleet. The airport also meets or exceeds the King County standards for construction and demolition diversion rates.
The airport complies with the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan; Strategic Climate Action Plan; King County Countywide Planning Policies; Real Property Asset Management Plan; Clean Water, Healthy Habitat Strategic Plan, Carbon Neutral Implementation Plan; King County Operational Cost of Carbon Report; and King County Priority Hire Program.
Dave Decoteau, deputy director of KCIA, said the IEnvA program will help the airport continue its mission to respond to the community’s interests.
“We hear from our community, ‘We need environmental justice,’ so that’s what we’re doing,” Decoteau said. “It expands on the environmental work that we’ve already been doing.”
Completing the IEnvA program is estimated to take up to 18 months. Once certified, participants may be recertified every two years.
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