Air Quality Working Group
Air Quality - Manchester Airport
Over the years, Manchester Airport has developed its air quality monitoring and modelling capability to more fully understand the impact of airport-related activities on local air quality, including the production of a comprehensive emission inventory for the site and annual reporting of air emissions. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone are measured at a sophisticated monitoring station that forms part of a national network, operated jointly with Manchester City Council, located at the airport/community boundary. Regular meetings with Local Authority Environmental Health Officers permit a wider debate on the local air quality issues.
Sources of Airport Emissions
The main Airport-related sources of emissions include:
- Road traffic accessing the airport site;
- Aircraft engine emissions during aircraft taxiing, taking off and landing, auxiliary power unit (APU) operation and engine testing;
- Fugitive emissions (e.g. evaporation) during fuelling of vehicles and aircraft;
- Exhaust emissions from operational vehicles and mobile plant on site;
- Power generation plant: diesel generators, boiler plant and the combined heat and power plant;
- Miscellaneous emissions from activities such as fire training.
Air quality is a complex subject with different sources producing different quantities of each pollutant. For example, the main source of NO2 is from aircraft operations and road traffic, whilst most particulates and SO2 arise from vehicles and ground service equipment. Additionally, only 10-30% of local road traffic is associated with the Airport and most on-site emissions are the result of third party operations and are therefore largely outside the direct control of the Airport Company.
Reducing Emissions
Manchester Airport has implemented several initiatives to reduce air emissions, including the provision of fixed electrical ground power (mains electricity) to supply an aircraft's electrical system whilst parked. This reduces the use of a jet aircraft's auxiliary power unit or mobile diesel generator and the resultant atmospheric emissions and noise. New, low-emission airside and car park buses have been purchased and the fitting of particulate traps is currently taking place which will remove about 90% of these emissions from the vehicle's exhaust. Regular testing of vehicles, both around the terminals and on the airfield, takes place to ensure strict emissions standards are being met.
Manchester Airport has set a target to increase the number of surface access journeys by passengers and staff by public transport. This has impacts in terms of congestion, air emissions, including greenhouse gases and the use of land for car parking.
Recent work has included funding the rail link to the Airport, working with train operators to develop a comprehensive network of direct rail services and subsidising off-peak bus services. The Station, a £60M transport interchange, opened in summer 2003, providing a high-quality facility for passengers, staff and the general public to change between rail, local bus, coach and in the future, Metrolink with convenient access to the terminal areas. The Employee Travel Plan details how we will tackle car journeys by staff through a series of improvements and incentives to use public transport - the main message being that small changes in travel habits will make a difference.
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Policies and Targets
We are committed to managing and controlling emissions of all pollutants arising from Airport operations and have therefore developed our own action plan to support those being produced by local authorities in Greater Manchester and Cheshire. We will also promote industry best practice for air quality management with service partners. The policies and targets within this action plan are given in our Environment Plan to 2015. Progress against these targets is reported annually in the Airport's Sustainability Report.
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