KENYA AIRWAYS AMONG THE WORLD’S FIRST SIX AIRLINES TO GET IEnvA CERTIFIED
(Posted 13th June 2013)
Kenya Airways was during the just concluded IATA annual general meeting in Cape Town / South Africa awarded the coveted IEnvA Certificate by IATA, among the first six airlines worldwide to have met the exacting standards required to pass the mandatory audit carried out by IATA experts.
The International Air Transport Association granted the airline IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA) Stage 1 certification. The groundbreaking IEnvA programme aims at creating an internationally recognized evaluation system designed to assess and improve environmental performance of airlines and is IATA’s own answer to global efforts to make aviation more environmentally friendly, working hand in hand with ICAO to develop globally acceptable and enforceable standards.
Speaking when he received the certification at the IATA annual general meeting held recently in Cape Town, Kenya Airways’ Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Titus Naikuni said that the IEnvA accreditation was a key milestone for the airline, and underlined its commitment to upholding highest possible environmental standards. Dr. Naikuni added, when receiving the recognition: ‘At Kenya Airways, we are committed to meeting our customers’ needs in an environmentally sound and sustainable way in line with relevant national and international laws and regulations as we make our contribution towards developing the different markets that we operate in. We are proud to have been certified in this respect’.
Kenya Airways is amongst only six airlines that participated in Stage 1 of the IEnvA programme, which involved development of IEnvA Standards and Reference Manuals as well as Guidance Documents. Kenya Airways also developed a Stage 1 Environmental Management System that was assessed by an independent Environment Assessment Organization and certified by IATA as compliant with the IEnvA Stage 1 standards.
The Director of Aviation Environment at IATA, Paul Steele said when recognizing Kenya Airways: ‘I am delighted to note that Kenya Airways has satisfied the independent assessors and passed the IATA Environmental Assessment Stage 1. IEnvA is the first environmental management system applied to the aviation sector and enables an airline to improve its environmental management and follow best environmental practice. This makes Kenya Airways one of the world’s leading carriers in the areas of environmental responsibility and sustainability’.
The IEnvA certification is expected to lead to the eventual development of standard environmental reporting format that is compatible with the GHG Protocol, Global Reporting Initiative and Carbon Disclosure Project. It will also help in regulatory assurance compliance, save on costs, and support the aviation industry’s climate change goals.
Kenya Airways, The Pride of Africa once again did Africa proud by taking the continental leadership on embracing and advancing the green agenda.
