The Airports Authority of India (AAI) awarded Hubballi Airport (in Karnataka) Platinum Recognition (highest honour) under Green Airports Recognition 2025 by Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East. The award was announced during ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly, Conference & Exhibition held in New Delhi.
Key Highlights
Award Category: “Sustainable Energy at Airports” for airports handling less than 6 million passengers per annum.
Achievement: Recognition highlights AAI’s commitment to:
- Environmental stewardship
- Sustainable infrastructure development
Importance:
- Marks a turning point for regional airports as innovators in sustainability.
- Hubballi model serves as a scalable blueprint for Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
- Aligns with India’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070.
The Hubballi Model
Major Initiative: An 8 MW solar power plant commissioned at Hubballi Airport in December 2022.
Unique Feature:
- First of its kind in India to supply renewable energy to multiple airports within a state.
- Supplies clean energy to: Hubballi Airport; Belagavi Airport; Mysuru Airport
- Future plan: Extend energy supply to upcoming airport terminals in Karnataka.
Impact:
- Annual Clean Energy Generation: Over 11 million units.
- Carbon Emissions Reduction: Estimated 215,000 tonnes over the plant’s lifetime.
Alignment: Reinforces AAI’s vision to promote green and energy-efficient airport operations by:
- Adopting innovative practices.
- Strengthening India’s pledge toward net-zero carbon emissions.
About Green Airports Recognition by ACI
Recognizes airports that demonstrate outstanding achievements in environmental sustainability.
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East organizes the annual award to encourage:
- Best practices in green initiatives.
- Collaborative progress towards eco-friendly aviation.
Other Awards at ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Conference 2025
Safety Recognition Awards 2025 were also presented for excellence in aerodrome safety:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB, UAE)
- Kempegowda International Airport (BLR, India)
- Narita International Airport (NAA, Japan)
Recognized for:
- Exemplary safety cultures
- Innovative aerodrome safety practices