The subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group that provides ground handling services, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), is now the first ground handler in the world to have achieved IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA), a certification programme designed specifically for ground and cargo service providers.
The IEnvA certificate was given to Qatar Aviation Services by the Qatar Airways Group on June 5 in Istanbul, Turkey, at the 79th IATA Annual General Meeting. The successful IEnvA for Airlines programme was expanded with the introduction of the IEnvA for Ground and Cargo Handling Service Organisations certificate in June 2022 at the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting in Doha. QAS joined the expanded IEnvA initiative as part of the pilot phase, making it the first organisation worldwide to do so. A framework for achieving environmental sustainability across all ground operations has been established by IATA in partnership with Qatar Airways Group and international sustainability experts. The certification process covered QAS offices and workshop structures, ground handling operations and equipment, cargo handling operations and equipment, as well as maintenance tasks.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group, stated: “We are committed to putting sustainability at the centre of our operations. In 2017, Qatar Airways became the first airline in the Middle East to receive IEnvA accreditation at the highest level. We are devoted to providing the leadership and resources required to realise our vision for environmental sustainability as we expand our global network. As the first ground handler certified worldwide under the new IEnvA programme for Ground and Cargo Handling Service Organisations, we today extend the IEnvA accreditation to QAS.
Qatar Aviation Services has accomplished a critical milestone with their IEnvA accreditation, according to IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh. They are one of the program’s early adopters, and it is obvious that they are committed to controlling and minimising the environmental impact of their activities. For other ground handlers and ground service providers to follow, their certification serves as a fantastic example of top-notch environmental management practises.
In order to enable Hamad International Airport achieve its elite status as an environmental leader among airports worldwide, Qatar Aviation Services is dedicated to reducing the environmental effect of its operations. It hopes to achieve the highest environmental standards through its participation while putting expansion plans into place.
Source: traveldailymedia