LVNL and skeyes both receive CANSO Green ATM award

The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the global industry association representing the air traffic management industry, has awarded the Belgian air traffic control authority skeyes and LVNL the Dutch Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) with Level 3 in its GreenATM environmental accreditation programme. This achievement is awarded to air navigation service providers that strive to reduce both their direct impact on the environment and the emissions of the airspace users under their control. skeyes and LVNL are one of the first air navigation service providers to obtain this label.

Reducing CO2 emissions

Improvements in air traffic management are critical to achieving the aviation industry’s goal of net zero C02 emissions by 2050. The GreenATM programme, launched at the end of 2022, is designed to provide an independent assessment of air navigation service providers' efforts to reduce their own environmental footprint and minimise excess emissions in the airspace for which they are responsible. The GreenATM programme covers a wide range of topics including:
-    Governance and strategy;
-    Improved air traffic management in ground, terminal and en-route operations;
-    Infrastructure and utilities;
-    Acquisition programmes, community relations and mobility.

skeyes

GreenATM level 3 ‘Managed’
CANSO has confirmed that skeyes has met all the requirements to achieve level 3. skeyes can now carry the GreenATM quality label. This score indicates that the environmental management activities of the service provider, skeyes, have reached the level of maturity in which the active implementation of plans that have an impact on emissions has been demonstrated.

The CANSO GreenATM programme has several levels, ranging from level 1, where the operator recognises that the company's policies can make an effective contribution to reducing environmental impacts, to level 5, where all strategies are fully implemented with a positive impact on the environmental footprint and the organisation is actively involved in researching and testing innovations. 

The Belgian air navigation service skeyes is among the first to receive the level 3 'Managed' quality label. 

"Congratulations to skeyes on achieving Level 3 Accreditation in CANSO's GreenATM programme. This recognition reflects skeyes' commitment to environmental sustainability through well-developed targets, public reporting, and high levels of PBN implementation,” commented Simon Hocquard, CANSO Director General.

“Their advanced management of environmental footprint, from renewable energy use to monitoring resource usage and promoting sustainable travel, sets a commendable example for the industry. We applaud skeyes for their dedication to shaping a greener future for air traffic management", he added.

Johan Decuyper, CEO Skeyes, added: “Being awarded the GreenATM label is a wonderful recognition of our efforts to effectively reduce the environmental impact of both our own operations and those of our customers, the airlines. The GreenATM programme highlighted the areas our ANSP could improve to optimise its performance. This award will encourage skeyes' management and staff to keep setting the bar high by implementing effective initiatives and investing in research into innovative solutions. skeyes continues its commitment to tomorrow’s low-emission aviation.”

LVNL 

LVNL's accreditation underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility and practices within the aviation sector. The accreditation recognised particular efforts by LVNL in several key areas:

Optimisation of Wake Turbulence Spacing: LVNL's efforts to optimise wake turbulence spacing has led to notable efficiencies in approach management at Schiphol airport resulting in less use of noise sensitive runways. 

Efficiencies in the Air and on the Ground: The implementation of advanced GNSS navigation technologies as represented by high levels of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) deployment and surface movement optimisation reduced excess fuel burn in the air and on the ground.

Airport and Community Relations:  Schiphol Airport is located in the ‘Randstad’, the most populous area in the Netherlands. For this reason LVNL started the programme 'Minder Hinder Schiphol' with measures to reduce nuisance. It is based on ideas not only from LVNL, Schiphol, the airlines, but also from residents and municipal government representatives.

Sustainable Procurement: LVNL has shown impressive progress in sustainable procurement policy and actively promotes socially responsible procurement. LVNL also monitors the efforts of suppliers to improve their sustainability. 

LVNL's achievement at Level 3 can be seen as an excellent development within the aviation industry and also highlights its engagement with employees and airspace users and other stakeholders on initiatives that deliver tangible environmental benefits.

“We are honoured to recognise LVNL for their Level 3 achievement in the GreenATM programme. This milestone underscores LVNL's commendable efforts in environmental sustainability, reflecting their commitment to driving positive change across various domains,” noted Simon Hocquard, CANSO Director General. “Their proactive engagement with employees and airspace users on initiatives with tangible environmental benefits sets a noteworthy example for the industry," he added.

Michiel van Dorst, CEO of LVNL, commented, “At LVNL we are extremely proud of the GreenATM Level 3 accreditation. This is an appreciation and recognition for the sustainable choices we made as an organisation as a whole and in our air traffic management. Sustainability has become increasingly important in the aviation sector. As an ANSP we work hard to make a valuable and tangible contribution to this. But our efforts don’t stop here. As a front runner we will continue to work together with our customers and partners to improve our sustainable performance.”

LVNL's accreditation exemplifies its commitment to advancing sustainability within the aviation industry, inspiring and setting a benchmark for environmental action. The GreenATM programmes shared baseline of evaluation for ANSPs worldwide promises to uncover and share best practices, encouraging coordinated efforts across the industry to benefit the environment.