TAG Farnborough Airport recently achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2019. The London-area business aviation gateway received the silver Green Apple Award at the British parliament as part of the Green Apple Environment Awards, which recognize positive environmental practice.

Encouraging efforts to reduce the overall environmental impact of businesses, the award specifically recognizes the efforts of TAG’s employees to adopt low- to zero-carbon travel to and from the workplace. This has included increased use of cycling, public transportation and sharing cars.

“Recognition by The Green Organization for our sustainable staff travel plan is important, because it highlights TAG Farnborough Airport’s holistic attitude to reducing its impact on the environment,” said TAG Farnborough Airport environment manager Miles Thomas.“We are committed to a sustainable approach for management and development of the airport and through our work in reducing our carbon footprint.”

TAG Farnborough Airport (Stand 482) has taken on other energy efficiency initiatives such as an investment in site-based solar energy, low energy lighting internally and externally for the airfield and specialized hangar heating systems. The airport’s FBO continues to offer passenger and crew services as well as aircraft handling, refueling, cleaning and oxygen replenishment.

Traffic volumes for 2016 look set to show a modest increase over 2015. According to TAG Farnborough chief executive Brandon O’Reilly, the airport has seen stronger growth rates among visitors from the U.S. this year, and also for heavy jets in general. Based on statistics provided by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Farnborough accounts for 33 to 35 percent of all business aircraft movements into the London area, which is significant, given that there are many other options.

O’Reilly said that continuous investment in TAG Farnborough has seen it steadily improve its already well-reviewed facilities, including a new lounge. “The new facilities have really taken off,” he said. “The number of people using the new lounge dovetails to those larger aircraft.” While the airport is handling more music groups, sports teams and other specialist groups traveling by private aircraft, it has also been able to continue a high-quality, discreet level of service for other customers.

“We’re operating at around 25,000 to 25,500 movements a year, and we can go up to 50,000,” said O’Reilly. This is the movement cap set by the local government, and Farnborough is not allowed to have scheduled services.