Finavia is determined to minimise its airports’ impact on local water systems. The focus is on carefully handling runoff waters that may contain traces of glycol, an ingredient found in the de-icing and anti-icing fluids used at the airport.
In recent years, Tampere Airport has undergone a large-scale renovation and expansion project. The airport can now serve larger aircrafts with more efficient turnaround times. Water management has also been taken into consideration in airport renovation projects. It is especially important during the winter season, when aircrafts need to undergo de-icing and anti-icing procedures.
One major investment was installing a soil-protecting film under apron number 1, as it was being repaved. Aircraft de-icing is now concentrated in this area, ensuring that runoff water is collected efficiently. Overall, the airport has invested several million euros into the improvement of the collection, pumping and handling of de-icing and anti-icing runoff.
“In addition to renewing the apron, we have intensified the monitoring and guidance of water at the airport. Our operations are, of course, in line with the requirements of our environmental permit, but we seek to go even beyond what is required of us when it comes to protecting local waters,” says Tampere Airport Manager Mari Nurminen.
The efficiency of the airport’s water management is constantly overseen by monitoring the water quality of local streams andthe amount of glycol collected.
Ambitious environmental work at a developing airport
Even though the largest renewal works have now been completed, environmental work at Tampere Airport is continuously developed, according to the airport’s certified ISO 140001 environmental management system.
“We utilise district heating and have improved our energy efficiency by switching to LED lighting on the apron and in the terminal. We also cooperate with airlines and air navigation service provider ANS Finland to reduce aircraft noise.”
In future, Tampere Airport plans to start using renewable biodiesel made of waste and residues to reduce carbon emissions from airport vehicles. Tampere Airport became carbon neutral in 2019.
“We continue to work ambitiously on minimizing our emissions. Next, we are looking into electric vehicles to see if we could reduce emissions from maintenance vehicles that way.”
