The Ottawa Airport Authority is committed to improving environmental performance and tracks its progress through the following key performance indicators:

STORMWATER QUALITY

De-icing

For safety reasons, aircraft require de-icing during the winter months. The Airport Authority monitors all stormwater property outlets for glycol and other parameters resulting from de-icing activities. During the 2019-2020 season, glycol readings exceeded the acceptable limit at two property outlets during two heavy rain/snowmelt events. This observation prompted a complete audit of the central de-icing facility operations. As a result, the Airport Authority made operational changes to address deficiencies for the 2020-2021 season and continues to implement and monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. No glycol was observed at any outlet during the 2020-2021 season.

2021 Goals

  • Continue to monitor the outlets to identify and mitigate issues.
  • Continue to monitor operations and modify as necessary to minimize the potential for glycol impact.
  • Not to exceed the glycol guidelines.

Type I and Type IV Glycol application (in litres)

2020-2021 winter season: 516,170*
2019-2020 winter season: 3,019,859
2018-2019 winter season: 3,535,468
2017-2018 winter season: 3 551 589

*Significant decrease in air traffic has significantly reduced the amount of glycol used at YOW.

Ground handling

Accidental spills typically occur due to human error or equipment malfunction and mainly occur during aircraft servicing. The Airport Authority and operators work to minimize the impact when spills occur. The majority of spills occur on hard surfaces, and the responsible parties clean them immediately. In 2020, 40 spills were reported, and all spills were contained and prevented from entering the environment.

2021 Goals

  • Continue to promote employee awareness.
  • Continue to promote regular equipment maintenance to reduce the number of spills.
  • Ensure no significant environmental impact from spills.

Significant spills

(large enough to require being reported to Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment)

2020: 0
2019: 0
2018: 0
2017: 0
2016: 1

AIR QUALITY

In 2016, the Ottawa Airport Authority received Airports Council International (ACI) Carbon Accreditation Program Level 1 - Mapping certification. In 2017, the Authority achieved Level 2 - Reduction certification, which required developing and implementing a comprehensive Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Management Plan. In 2018, we retained our Level 2 certification and applied for Level 3 certification, which required third-party airport partners’ engagement, such as airlines, ground handlers and landside tenants. We obtained Level 3 certification in 2018 and re-certified in 2019.  Due to COVID-19, ACI deferred the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program certification for the 2020-2021 season. In 2020, the Airport maintained its Level 3 certification.

2021 Goals

  • Continue to map all Airport-related carbon emissions as per the Level 3 accreditation process.
  • Where feasible, reduce GHG emissions as per the GHG Reduction Plan.  

CO2 produced (in tonnes)

2020: 4,002* (CO2eq) = 2.93 per 1000 passengers
2019: 5,020 (CO2eq) = 0.983 per 1000 passengers (increase in Ontario electricity emission factor)
2018: 4,777 (CO2eq) = 0.934 per 1000 passengers
2017: 4,987 (CO2eq) = 1.022 per 1000 passengers
2016: 5,354 (CO2eq) = 1.129 per 1000 passengers

* In 2020, the Airport Carbon Emission Inventory Reporting Tool (ACERT) was updated and now includes CO2eq emissions from the runway de-icers used at the Airport. This addition to the reporting tool increased the emissions by 215 tonnes. The airport buildings are required to keep a certain level of service. Therefore, energy consumption can only be reduced to a certain level. Due to the reduction in passengers, the tonnes of CO2 per 1000 passengers increased.

COVID-19 forced the Airport Authority to implement cost-savings measures in response to the drastic reduction of passengers and flights. These measures included reducing the lighting in the terminal and Parkade by 30 to 80%, closing runways during inclement weather to reduce fuel use (when safe to do so) and decreasing the building heating levels by a few degrees. Overall, electricity, natural gas and fuel consumption decreased by approximately 20%. In 2021, the Airport Authority will assess if maintaining some of these measures when travel resumes in a meaningful way is possible.

AIRCRAFT NOISE

Although the Airport Authority abides by Transport Canada approved Noise Abatement Procedures, we are aware that some members of the public find that aircraft noise is a nuisance. As residential development continues close to the Airport, the Authority continues to work with the City of Ottawa to discourage non-airport compatible land uses to minimize disturbance for future residents.

Background

2011 marked the start of a significant, multi-year, summer airside improvement program. Projects included the resurfacing of Runway 04/22 in 2011, complete rehabilitation of Runway 07/25 in 2012 and Runway 14/32 in 2014, and runway grooving in 2013 and 2015, respectively. A Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment (SSALR) was installed on Runway 25 in 2017 and on Runway 14 in 2018. These lights provide greater visibility for landing, mainly when visibility is low. The Airport Authority has also renewed various taxiways and aprons since 2011.

Large projects of this nature disrupt commercial aircraft traffic patterns and can impact the surrounding general public., Before each project, the Authority executed comprehensive communications plans in Ottawa-Gatineau, including media outreach and communication with stakeholders, the municipal and federal governments, and impacted communities.

In the summer of 2019, Runway 14/32 (north-south) was used more frequently due to the rehabilitation of Taxiway Bravo. An increase in noise events and complaints resulted (101 complaints related to this work were logged). The Airport Authority received 177 noise complaints in 2019. In 2020, the scheduled rehabilitation of Taxiway Alpha was postponed due to COVID-19. In 2020, we received 64 noise complaints.   

The Airport Authority logs all aircraft noise complaints and investigates them to assure compliance with noise abatement procedures and the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Information is provided to Transport Canada for enforcement purposes when a flight has potentially deviated from the proper procedures.

2021 Goals

  • Continue to monitor and respond to noise complaints, discuss with local residents, and identify reoccurring issues and solutions, where possible.
  • Work with NAV CANADA and the aviation community to ensure proper procedures are followed to minimize impacts to populated areas.

WASTE DIVERSION

A waste diversion program has been in place since 2005. Diversion rates, first measured in 2006 at 18%, have grown to between 25% and 34%. The 2017 waste audit indicated a diversion rate of 28%, excluding the recycling of wood pallets. Including wood pallets, the waste diversion rates rise to roughly 34%.  

A new Master Concession agreement was signed and included a goal to increase the waste diversion rate to over 60%.  Due to COVID-19, the waste diversion agreed to in the Master Concession agreement was deferred.

Future Goal

  • Waste diversion rate of at least 60%.

The Airport Authority will complete a waste audit when air traffic returns to normal levels.  

Hazardous waste

The Airport Authority recycles hazardous waste whenever possible. In 2020, we continued to recycle hazardous waste.

  • Fluorescent lamp tubes: 1,775 m
  • Compact fluorescent lamps: 850 units
  • Batteries: 195 kg
  • Aerosols: 5 kg 
  • Waste oil: 5,132 L
  • Naphtha (parts cleaner): 240 L

2021 Goal

Continue to minimize and recycle hazardous waste.

Fire fighting foam transition

In 2018 (amended in 2020), Transport Canada issued an exemption from Paragraph 323.08(1)(a) of the Aircraft Fire Fighting at Airport and Aerodromes Standards pursuant to Section 303.08 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. This allowed airports to transition to Fluorine-Free Foam (F3) for use in aircraft emergencies. The Airport Authority met all conditions of transition and began transitioning to using the F3 Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF) at YOW in 2018 and completed the process in early January 2021.

Vehicle efficiency

Fuel use

The Airport Authority’s operational vehicle fleet includes various types of equipment, including blowers, sweepers, plows, loaders and trucks. Fuel consumption varies considerably depending on the vehicle and the type, duration and severity of winter weather events. To aid in fuel consumption and emissions, the Authority has a “no idling” policy - when not in use, vehicles are to be turned off and plugged in. While maintaining safe operations, the Airport Authority also used different snow removal techniques/priorities for reduced fuel use.

Fuel use (in litres)

2020: 452,969*
2019: 666,140
2018: 721,472
2017: 641,254
2016: 698,257

*See discussion under Air Quality

2021 Goals

  • Reduce consumption when possible by continuing to monitor for new technology that improves efficiency.
  • Maintain a proactive maintenance schedule, which enhances the overall efficiency of the fleet.

BUILDING EFFICIENCY

Electricity

Electricity use has an impact on Scope 2 emissions included in the GHG calculations. Consumption varies year to year based on factors such as the number of passengers and the weather. In 2020, the Airport Authority calculated electricity use at 20.4 M kWh for all its buildings and exterior lighting.

Electricity use (in 100,000 kW/h)

2020: 20.4*
2019: 26.2
2018: 25.1
2017: 27.7
2016: 27.8

*See discussion under Air Quality

2021 Goals

  • Reduce consumption when possible by continuing to monitor for new technology that improves efficiency.
  • Maintain a proactive maintenance schedule, which enhances the overall efficiency of building systems.

Water

Water use varies year to year based on factors such as the number of passengers and weather. In 2020, water use for the Airport was 30,990 m3. 

Water consumption (in m3)

2020: 30,990*
2019: 75,627
2018: 83,692 
2017: 79,483
2016: 83,030

*Due to decrease in passengers

2021 Goals

  • Reduce consumption when possible by continuing to monitor for new technology that improves efficiency.
  • Maintain a proactive maintenance schedule, which enhances the overall efficiency of the building’s systems.

Natural gas

As with electricity, natural gas has an impact on GHG. Its use varies year to year based on the number of passengers and the weather. In 2020, the Airport Authority calculated the use of natural gas at 1.14M m³ for all its buildings. 

Natural gas use (in m3)

2020: 1,136,306*
2019: 1,404,277
2018: 1,241,535
2017: 1,178,395
2016: 1,244,191

*See discussion under Air Quality

2021 Goals

  • Reduce consumption when possible by continuing to monitor for new technology that improves efficiency.
  • Maintain a proactive maintenance schedule, which enhances the overall efficiency of the building’s systems.