What our responsibilities mean to us

We see corporate responsibility and sustainability as fundamentals in our plans for growth and development. Here are some of the ways in which we are demonstrating this commitment:

• Since 2010, we have been a member of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG)
• In 2011, we released our first Corporate Responsibility report, which significantly was the first of its kind from an airport in the Middle East
• We have established our own Corporate Responsibility Committee (CRC)

The environment 

• We use the standards set by Estidama, the sustainability initiative of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, as we implement and abide by sustainable design and construction practices when developing and remodeling our airport facilities.
• We defined our approach for measuring and managing climate change impacts by developing a Corporate Carbon and Energy Commitment Statement. Here, the focus is on managing energy consumption and lowering carbon emissions, starting with a detailed mapping of the carbon footprint at Zayed International Airport – Terminal A.
• Back in 2011, Zayed International Airport – Terminal A became the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve Airport Carbon Accredited status as part of the carbon management certification programme.
• In 2018, AUH achieved airport status at the ‘Optimisation’ level of the carbon management certification programme.
• At ‘Optimisation’ level of Airport Carbon Accreditation, we were required to engage our third parties in carbon footprint management. Third parties include airlines and various service providers, such as independent ground handlers, catering companies, air traffic control and others working on the airport site. It also involves engagement on surface access modes with authorities and users.

People & communities

As the UAE’s largest airports operator, we play a key social support role locally and regionally.

• On a community level, we support many initiatives and sponsor various local charities, such as the UAE Red Crescent and Women Union in Abu Dhabi. On an employee level, we comply with the UAE’s labour and workforce regulations, as well as:
  • Maintain performance management and employee development programmes
  • Proactively promote special needs employment
  • Staunchly support Emiratisation

• In support of the drive to place Abu Dhabi on the world stage, we play a vital supporting role in the annual Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

• In the spirit of community engagement, we collaborate with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Abu Dhabi Police, providing valuable advertising space at our airports to communicate key messages to the community. This is supported by effective stakeholder engagement on a business-to-business and business-to-community level.

• Accessibility for customers and employees is another avenue we have proactively pursued through a two-pronged approach:
  • Accessibility of facilities: The Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care evaluated Zayed International Airport’s Terminal 3 to highlight facilities and services that require ease of access enhancements.
  • Soft skills: We delivered a training programme to 20 customer service representatives on customer services for passengers with reduced mobility. Abu Dhabi Airports was awarded first place with the Golden Shield of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

Economic Sustainability

As an airport operator, we contribute significantly to Abu Dhabi’s economy. Our airports provide access to cities within the Emirate and are the gateway to Abu Dhabi, offering access to millions of transferring passengers.