The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has released the first update to the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses, a self-certification process for any aviation business interested in pursuing flexible, cost-effective options to lower its carbon footprint. The most significant changes to the standard include the introduction of a second checklist option for organisations with more than one location and the addition of a sustainability strategies supplement, providing an enhanced approach to achieve and further promote the goal of the Standard.

Developed by a working group under NATA's Environment Committee, the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses is voluntary in nature, free to the industry, designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (including CO2), increase the use of more environmentally friendly energy sources, reduce waste and encourage operation-wide sustainability.

“The industry feedback we have received on the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants are pleased with how comprehensible and practicable it is,” says NATA working group chairman Patrick Moylan, a senior associate with FBO Partners. “Our goal is to expand its use in 2023, and we hope the addition of the multi-location checklist and other improvements will help serve as a catalyst for that growth. As the standard represents a living document it will continue to evolve with the needs of the industry.”

NATA recognises the following working group member companies for their time and dedication in continuous review and development of the standard: 4Air, Atlantic Aviation, FBO Partners, Fire Technology Innovations, JRMA, Jet Aviation and Signature Flight Support.

“Sustainability and corporate accountability are among the top priorities for all member segments from MROs to air charter operators and FBOs to airports, and this standard was developed with the entire aviation business ecosystem in mind,” says NATA managing director of industry and regulatory affairs Megan Eisenstein. “We couldn't be more pleased with the outpouring of industry support and organisational pride in this recognition of our members' environmental efforts, as well as the productive feedback we've received enabling the Standard's continuous improvement. NATA sincerely thanks the committee, our members and the working group for their participation in developing, promoting and engaging in such an important initiative.”