The BlueSky Program was launched at the TIACA Executive Summit held in March this year, and a pilot programme was run with airline and ground handling companies.
It is now ready to launch live operations with 10 companies from across the air cargo industries.
The launch participants are Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Astral Aviation, Brussels Airport, Cargo Handling International, Edmonton International Airport, Etihad Cargo, Flexport, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited, Strike Aviation and Swissport.
Steven Polmans, Chair of TIACA, says, “This programme will enable all participants to assess where they are on their sustainability transformation journey which will collectively demonstrate the leadership of the air cargo industry in tackling this important topic.”
Phase 1 is an evidence-based desktop verification process designed to assess the applicants’ progress against a number of critical sustainability criteria.
The 8 areas of assessment criteria are decarbonisation, waste elimination, biodiversity protection, supporting local economies and communities, impact on society improvement, efficiency and profitability, employee engagement, retention and development, and partnership building.
Companies will be assessed by an independent organisation and a subsequent phase will include a full onsite audit option with an in-depth report describing areas of improvement.
Glyn Hughes, Director General of TIACA, says, “Sustainability is an increasingly important topic for businesses globally and as an industry which connects the world it is critical that we all have strategic plans in place to ensure our sustainability credentials are demonstrated in an evidenced and neutral fashion. The TIACA BlueSky Program aims to provide that solution.”