Farnborough Airport’s mission to become a global showcase for airport sustainability and driver of regional economic growth continues to gather pace as it welcomes premium fleet operator Flexjet in setting up its European Tactical Control Centre at Europe’s leading business aviation airport. Flexjet has sustainability high on its priorities and includes a complete emissions offset (300% CO2e) for both carbon and non-carbon pollution, at no extra cost to the passenger, thus contributing to Farnborough Airport’s own commitment to sustainability and the UK government’s targets for net zero carbon emissions.
Flexjet has opened the Tactical Control Centre – the operational heart of its European business – and office space for its operations and other support teams within Farnborough Airport’s Meadow Gate building, in a move from its previous base in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. The relocation contributes to Farnborough Airport’s impressive number of 50 companies based on site and the airport’s longstanding history of driving economic growth and local employment in the region. With 80% of staff living within a 10-mile radius of Farnborough Airport, the airport is a major regional employer. During the COVID pandemic the airport remained fully operational and instead of making redundancies took the opportunity to hire into new positions.
Farnborough Airport CEO Simon Geere, commented, “We’re thrilled to welcome Flexjet to Farnborough Airport. The operator’s exemplary focus on sustainability brings additional value to our airport, not to mention a boost to local employment and fiscal growth in the region. After becoming the first business airport to be awarded carbon neutral status in 2018 and making continued improvements in our environmental performance, this partnership further establishes our position as one of the most modern, well-connected, and sustainably minded airports of its kind.”
Flexjet European Managing Director Marine Eugène, added, “Our move to Farnborough Airport represents an important milestone in our European expansion and generates a multitude of synergies and benefits for our team and our owners alike. Flexjet and Farnborough Airport have a shared ethos for excellence in both operations and service, so we are delighted to be forging this closer partnership.”
Farnborough Airport became the first business airport to be awarded carbon neutral status in 2018 and made sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) available to its customers in 2021. This year Farnborough Airport has introduced electric ground power units and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which reduces net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. Furthermore, this summer, Farnborough Airport will embark on a £55m investment program to significantly expand its facilities and operational infrastructure by developing a new 175,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hangar facility, branded as Domus III. With Domus III, the airport will achieve some of the very highest environmental standards and the building itself will be rated by BREEAM, a sustainability assessment method for infrastructure and buildings.
Farnborough Airport was the UK’s first airfield in aviation history and home to the country’s first powered flight in 1908. Over the past decade, the airport has continued to be a leader in aviation, hosting the biennial Farnborough International Airshow and pioneering sustainability across the industry.
