Image: Aviator Airport Alliance
Patrik Bayardo, Head of Airport Hospitality at Aviator Airport Alliance, discusses how over the years, the ground handling industry has witnessed a growing focus on sustainability, with companies actively seeking ways to minimise their environmental impact.
“Electric machinery, digitalisation and robotisation, and green business practices have been viable choices for companies striving to reduce their impact on the environment. While sustainable initiatives on the apron have been widely implemented, Aviator Airport Alliance, a full-range provider of aviation services at 15 airports across the Nordics, has also extended their efforts to other aspects of its business, such as business lounges, to drive positive change. Having recently unveiled an updated menu for their business lounges at Copenhagen airport, Aviator proved their commitment to sustainability,” said Bayardo.
Sustainable food practices
“Our primary guiding principle, as we crafted the menu, revolved around our deep respect for the environment and our commitment to ecological and sustainable practices. One of the main ways we sought to achieve this was through our food and beverage operations. We made a conscious effort to reduce meat consumption and increase the proportion of vegetable-based products, setting an ambitious goal of having 80% of our offerings sourced from plants. Additionally, we prioritised sourcing products from local suppliers to eliminate the need for air transport and to support the local economy. Furthermore, we emphasised the use of ecological products that are free from harmful chemicals, with a target of 40% of our product range meeting these criteria.”
Aviator has also recognised the significant potential for enhancing sustainability through waste reduction. “Since partnering with CPH Kitchen, we have achieved an impressive 50% reduction in food waste, and we remain committed to further improvement,” he said.
Plastic pollution
“In order to achieve our objectives, we have established four key targets: eliminating the use of problem plastics, minimising packaging usage, exclusively utilising packaging materials that are recyclable, reusable, or compostable, and actively encouraging improved recycling practices,” explains Patrik. “These targets perfectly align with our overarching vision of a world where plastic is valued and no longer poses a threat to our environment.”
Sustainability beyond menu
According to Bayardo, Aviator’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond the menu. “Our business lounges are equipped with energy-saving LED lights and modern appliances that consume minimal energy,” he explains. Aviator takes pride in incorporating recycled furniture into their business lounge. Visitors can appreciate chairs made from recyclable plastic material and tables constructed from recycled materials.
“While updating a menu with sustainability in mind may not appear as a significant change at first glance, every initiative, no matter how small, holds great importance in the long run,” believes Bayardo. “By implementing green and sustainable practices across all areas of our business, we can effectively reduce our environmental impact.”
