Sponsored: Lyon Airport sets net zero target for 2026

Lyon Airport has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions from its own activities by 2026.

Lyon Airport, managed by VINCI Airports, the world’s leading private airport operator with over 70 airports in 13 countries, proudly ranks as France’s 4th largest airport in terms of cargo activity. It is located in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, France’s leading industrial region.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport, a VINCI Airports innovation centre of excellence, boasts recent infrastructure and an innovation strategy based on a high-quality passenger experience and operational excellence for airlines. Its CargoPort area covers some 150 hectares set aside for cargo and logistics, ideally located at the airport (less than one kilometre between the aircraft stands and the motorway network), making it quick and easy to reach by both road and air.

Under the leadership of VINCI Airports, Lyon Airport has been committed to implementing an ambitious environmental policy for many years. The airport has set a goal to reduce CO2 emissions related to its operations as much as possible. Incompressible residual emissions are absorbed locally through local reforestation projects, making the airport one of the first in France to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2026. 

Source: VINCI

Lyon Airport also stands out by undertaking to involve the entire airport value chain in the effort to decarbonize the aviation sector. Regarding sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), the airport encourages their use by offering free storage on the platform.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport is also VINCI Airports’ pilot site for hydrogen and is deploying a global strategy to gradually set up hydrogen production facilities. In 2024, Lyon Airport will launch its first hydrogen station for light vehicles (Hympulsion station) in partnership with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. From 2026, a second hydrogen station is planned for heavy mobility at CargoPort, the airport’s cargo area.

The third stage consists of developing infrastructure to accommodate future hydrogen-powered aircraft: a green H2 production and storage station will be deployed between 2030 and 2045, in partnership with Airbus. As for emissions associated with passenger access, VINCI Airports plans to install 800 electric charging stations for private vehicles in Lyon by the end of 2024.

According to Tanguy Bertolus, Chairman of the Board of Aéroports de Lyon: “The air transport sector is one of the sectors that is evolving the most rapidly, in order to continue serving as a gateway to the world while minimizing the environmental impact. VINCI Airports in Lyon is working alongside all players in the sector to prepare for tomorrow’s mobility today.”

Source: VINCI