BH Airport invests R$ 36 million in the launch of an environmental project

Starting from 400Hz + PCA, foram equipment coupled to the airport boarding bridges will contribute to the reduction of emissions

BH Airport has ESG as a strategic pillar and is attentive to environmental, social and governance practices offered in the market. In this sense, we invested around R$ 36 million in the implementation of the 400Hz (electrical energy) + PCA (air-conditioning for aircraft) project. The initiative consists of attaching equipment to the boarding bridges to supply electrical energy from a renewable source and conditioning the aircraft during solo services. By 2022, aviation kerosene and diesel generators were used. Leaf, Blue, Latam and Gol have a solution, which is available in 20 positions at the airport.

“The electricity of these processes brings financial efficiency, safety, noise reduction and, mainly, the emissions of stove gases, which makes our operations more sustainable. The proposed project was to replace the use of fossil fuels by airline companies during solo operations,” explains Geovane Medina, manager of Aeroportuários Products and Services and the BH Airport Cargo Terminal.

Before the start of the project, the process was as follows: the aircraft was at the airport and, logo, operators traced the equipment, powered by diesel, which were responsible for keeping the aircraft and its condition linked.

The airline still has the alternative of using the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit or Unidade Auxiliar de Energia) which is a third engine, which is generally located at the tail of the aircraft and works as a small turbine, often used during or before flight, to keep the aircraft systems in operation and not board passengers. When in operation, the APU uses the same kerosene in two aircraft tanks, more expensive, and its operation contributes to the emission of stove gases. Com isso, maintaining or linked APU is not the best alternative for airlines.

“The 400 Hz project and PCA contribute exactly so that companies do not use the APU and diesel-powered equipment. The idea is to really contribute to the preservation of the environment and provide an increase in efficiency for airline companies. For this idea, Azul, Latam and Gol have a reduction of about 30% in the costs involved in this operation, with the use of the new equipment,” explains Geovane Medina.