Championing Sustainable Travel: 11 New Initiatives at Türkiye’s Dalaman Airport

Dalaman Airport, the gateway to Türkiye’s idyllic Turquoise Coast, has recently become the fifth busiest airport in Tükiye in terms of the number of international passengers it serves.

As the airport’s popularity soars, it’s important that the environment doesn’t get left behind.

To ensure that we grow responsibly and remain one of Türkiye’s greenest airports, we’re doubling down on our commitment to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives:

 1. Installing Solar Panels for Renewable Energy

Dalaman Airport has launched Türkiye’s largest solar plant project in an airport terminal.

By installing photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the terminal building, we aim to meet more than half (around 55%) of the airport’s total energy needs with solar energy.

And this is just the first stage of the project. In the long term, our goal is to achieve 100% renewable energy at the airport.

2. Implementing a Sensor-Based Control System

We have installed a sensor-based control system to reduce unnecessary energy use at the airport.

When the sensors detect that there is no movement in certain areas of the terminal, multiple systems—such as heating, air conditioning, and lighting—are turned off, either automatically or manually by airport staff.

With this initiative, the airport is working towards much more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building operations.

 3. Initiating Partial Closures During Low Season

 Since most people come to Dalaman Airport to visit the beautiful beaches of the Turkish Riviera, summer is the peak season at the airport.

Nevertheless, to make our infrastructure more eco-friendly and adapt our operation between peak and off-peak season, the airport has begun to close part of the terminal during the winter and redirect the flow of passengers so that they are concentrated in the areas that have remained open.

This winter season has been the first time this project has been tested, and it has proven to be an excellent opportunity for energy savings.

This way, we can operate the terminal much more efficiently, and we have successfully reduced the use of electricity, water, and gas, in addition to optimizing personnel resources.

4. Switching to LED Lighting Technology

The lighting in Dalaman Airport’s Terminal 2 has been completely replaced by LED lighting, a much more efficient technology.

This change has successfully reduced electricity consumption at the airport.

 5. Reducing the Use of Auxiliary Power Units

 Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) are one of the main sources of emissions from aircraft during the time they are parked on the airport apron.

Dalaman Airport has begun to work with airlines and ground handling services to establish agreements that allow APUs to be used less and shut down when they are not needed.

The objective is to reduce aircraft emissions while they are on the apron.

6. Acquiring a New Airport Electric Vehicle

 In accordance with the airport’s commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions and transition to less polluting energy sources, one of the airside vehicles owned by the airport has been replaced with an electric vehicle.

7. Supporting Local and Regional Companies

Dalaman Airport prioritizes agreements with local farmers and small regional businesses to source and provide food options at the airport.

Our procurement team always looks in our community first. This not only helps support the local economy, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with food or any product delivery.

8. Digitalizing Complaint Collection and Management

 To reduce paper waste, Dalaman Airport has transitioned to using QR codes to collect complaints from airport employees and passengers.

Furthermore, the digitalization of the complaint management system has the added benefit of facilitating the monitoring and resolution of complaints.

 9. Creating Committees to Implement Best Practices

 The airport has established an Innovation Committee, a Sustainability Committee, and an Audit and Risk Committee to implement best practices and comply with the highest standards of good governance.

These committees are working to define and apply definitive measures to promote honesty and transparency in our business, ensuring the best possible operation.

10. Achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2

Dalaman Airport has entered the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program and obtained the Level 2 “Reduction” accreditation.

We are continuing to accelerate our efforts to manage and reduce CO2 emissions by implementing a variety of projects to support the environment and fight against climate change. We are working now on Level 3 “Optimization” accreditation.

The ACA program is run by Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), the only institutionally approved global carbon management certification program for airports.

 11. Earning ISO Quality Certifications

DLM Airport has implemented various formalized systems to ensure the standardization and high quality of our activities. We are proud to have attained the following certifications:

• ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
• ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System
• ISO 27001 Information Security Management System
• ISO 5001 Energy Management System
• ISO 10002 Customer Satisfaction Management System