Sustainability

It is important for different sectors to develop their own definition of sustainability to suit their own unique situation. Skyxe has developed its own definition of sustainability as it pertains to our operation. 

“Sustainability to us is managing our efficiency, economics, environment, and social responsibility in a way that preserves future generations’ ability to use the resources we have available today.”

Our Commitment

October 23, 2022

Responsible environmental management and sustainability are at the core of Skyxe Saskatoon Airport’s corporate strategy now and in the foreseeable future. Skyxe recognizes the continued need for and importance of sustainable development to reach net zero by 2050.

Diligent monitoring of our energy and carbon footprint has enabled us to make remarkable strides in reaching our 2023 strategic goal of reducing carbon emission by 20% from our 2015 benchmark year. Now we set our sights on a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2027 from our 2015 benchmark year.

As we propel ourselves into a new level of sustainability, we continue to challenge ourselves by investing in strategic initiatives that enable us to deliver the highest quality of excellence to our staff, airport partners and communities of Saskatchewan. The Saskatoon Airport has undertaken the following initiatives:

• Adopted a holistic Sustainability plan
• Improved energy efficiency across all areas of the Saskatoon Airport
• Deployed our first rooftop solar installation
• Achieved level 1 Carbon Mapping certification from ACI
• Field Electrical Modernization
• Development of a pedestrian/cycle access connecting the airport to the community

Skyxe Saskatoon Airport remains committed to delivering the highest standard of service while reducing our carbon intensity and ensuring we meet the needs of our community without compromising the opportunities and resources available to future generations.

         Sincerely,

 

What are we doing?

The Skyxe Sustainability Program is made up of 4 distinct pillars, known as the EONS approach. Sustainability is not an end goal but rather, an ongoing process. Skyxe is always progressing and sustainability needs to be incorporated into every step of our progress. The four focuses of the EONS approach will inform our decision making.

1. Economic Viability - Stimulating and catalyzing the local economy, adding new routes, upgrading infrastructure for aircraft and operations into the future.
2. Operational Efficiency - Progressively moving more passengers using less resources per passenger.
3. Natural Resource Conservation - Having minimal negative impact on our surrounding physical environment, and ensuring we are not reducing future generation’s access to resources.
4. Social Responsibility - Engaging the community, our customers, and our employees to promote health and well-being.

Airport carbon Accreditation 

Skyxe is proud to participate in the Airport Carbon Accreditation, the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification program for airports. It independently assesses and recognizes the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through 4 levels of certification: 'Mapping', 'Reduction', 'Optimization' and 'Neutrality'. The program provides airports with a common framework for active carbon management with measurable goals. Click here to learn more about this program. 

Skyxe was proud to officially accept the Level 1: Mapping certification on September 16, 2019 and is actively working towards attaining the Level 2: Reduction Accreditation. 

How are we doing it?

Energy & Greenhouse Emissions

• LED lighting upgrades throughout the campus
• Use of natural sunlight in building design
• Upgraded terminal furnaces to high efficiency
• Upgraded building management system to monitor indoor climate
• Backup electricity generators replaced with more efficient models
• Airfield land seeded to alfalfa as part of crop rotation and cut and baled for animal feed. Growing alfalfa helps fix nitrogen to the soil and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

Operational Efficiency & Responsible Management

• 24/7 Duty Manager program to enhance airport operations
• Safety manuals and operational protocols constantly being updated for Wildlife Management, Airside Vehicle Operators Program training, Glycol Mitigation, and Snow Plan.
• Active on-time Performance monitoring had resulted in Skyxe being ranked in the top 5 in Canada for the past several years

Resiliency: Climate

• Investments made in tornado preparedness planned through training staff members of what to do
• Flood proofing measure in place in airport basement with berms to contain water that can be easier pumped out
• Extensive snow planning that is in place and revised each year to ensure that aircraft are able to continue operations during high snowfall events

Resiliency: Enterprise Management

• Active risk management strategies to identify and control the organizations potential/possibility of loss with a focus on safety and security

Water Conservation

• Glycol collection and management system from the seasonal de-icing operations
• On-site soil reclamation farm

Green Space

• Recently planted trees along Airport Drive, addition of landscaping in front of the terminal
• Seasonal falconer program to help manage birds
• Honey bees kept on property to help with pollination

Noise

• Active monitoring noise from open areas and noise complaints from the public
• Works closely with city planners to slow residential creep to the airport

Waste Reduction

• Large compacting capable containers encourage recycling and improve cleanliness of the area
• Combination of recycling and waste bins are located throughout the terminal and campus
• Water bottle filling stations located throughout the terminal to reduce one-time use water bottles
• Reuse and recycling of construction materials when possible, such as asphalt, base course material, and concrete
• Topsoil removed from construction areas re-purposed to fill dips in airfield to increase safety
• Recycling of runway cleaning equipment, tires, oil, filters, batteries and scrap metal

Employee & Passenger Well-Being

• Participation in Airport Service Quality program to track and improve on our passenger experience
• Recognized in 2015 for Most Improved Airport in North America and in 2016 for Best Airport In North America, both for its respective size

Employee & Passenger Well-Being: Ambiance

• Natural gas fireplace in main terminal node
• Seating upgrades and USB ports and plug-ins for device charging available throughout post-security area
• Giant light-bright panel for adults and kids
• Partnership with local artists Ernie Scoles and Julianne Beaudin-Herney showcase a masterpiece over our fireplace
• Partnership with Georges Vanier School to create seek and find mural at Gate 1

Employee & Passenger Well-Being: Volunteers

• Dedicated volunteer Airport Ambassador Program
• Partnership with St. John's Ambulance to provide volunteer Therapy Dog teams to help reduce stress that can be associated with travel

Employee & Passenger Well-Being: Terminal Training

• Participation in Airport Safety Week by hosting various fun sessions with terminal partners
• Supplies Action X training videos to terminal partners, focusing on airport history and customer service

Employee & Passenger Well-Being: Benefits

• Skyxe creates a pleasant work environment through corporate 'Esprit de Corps' staff events
• Seasonal foreign object debris (FOD) walks with terminal partners to clean up the campus
• Staff retirement and estate panning session, promotion of career development leave

 

Community Engagement & Sponsorship

Sponsorship

Skyxe has a sponsorship program that is led by its Sustainability Committee. Annually, many organizations have been sponsored through donation, in-kind matters, or promotional items.

Community Consultation

Being a good neighbour is important in operating a successful, growing airport. When major changes are happening in and around the airport that could have effects on the local community, the airport holds community consultation meetings with stakeholders. The purpose of these meetings is to relay information about future plans and to gather feedback to potentially incorporate into the project at hand. 

Airport Partners

Through ongoing efforts, Skyxe engages with its airport partners to support, engage, and enhance long-term relationships.

Regular community consultative committee meetings and facility meetings are held to hear from tenants and community organizations with an interest in the airport to better understand what is working and what is not. Events with our airport community are held throughout the year and include our annual BBQ, Skyxe’s own festival of trees competition, celebrations, and joint fundraising events. 

Have an Idea?

If you have a sustainability idea for us, we want to hear it! Please let us by email at info@skyxe.ca or 306-975-8900.