As part of its ongoing efforts to lessen its environmental impact, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has established a new sustainability program called Our Sustainable Flight Path.

The ground handler said in a statement that the program is part of the company's Environmental, Social, and Government (ESG) strategy, and it includes actions, targets, and milestones that must be met by the company between now and 2030, such as achieving 75% electric ground support equipment, fully adopting biodegradable plastics, and signing the UN Global Compact.

"We must continue to take collective and individual action as a company and as employees to maintain our leadership position in safety, security, ethics, and compliance whilst reducing our carbon footprint, supporting local communities, and developing our people," said Craig Smyth, WFS chief executive. "Our Sustainable Flight Path' provides us with a social and governance strategy which looks after our people, our customers, and our planet, and is true to our WFS core values."

WFS said the strategy has been created with the support of accounting firm, PwC's sustainability team and aims to coordinate, build upon, and accelerate the numerous WFS sustainability projects across the company’s network spanning stations at 168 major airports in 17 countries and five continents. It will also become the sustainability focal point for WFS’ 30,000-strong international workforce.    

"WFS' environmental journey so far also incorporates collecting annual data on energy, waste, and water consumption, seeking 'greener' energy suppliers, reusing equipment, extending the lifecycles of equipment, and carbon footprint tracking," the ground handler added.

It said that solar panels have been fitted at some WFS locations and trials of further electronic ground support equipment and hydrogen-powered vehicles are ongoing. WFS is also participating in 'green' projects at some of the airports where it operates.

WFS noted that sustainability already plays an important role in the company and is taken into consideration when developing new-build cargo terminals, implementing LED lighting in over 30 warehouse operations, introducing nearly 1,000 electric ramps and warehouse vehicles, and introducing biodegradable plastics to wrap airfreight pallets.