emissions: Net zero
Environmental and climate protection is an important component of business operations in today's world. As an aviation company, we also take this issue very seriously. Flughafen Hof-Plauen GmbH & Co. KG has therefore initiated measures and initiated projects that fulfil the goal of "Innovate2Fly" of the Interest Group of Regional Airports (IDRF), with the aim of achieving "net zero" emissions at Hof-Plauen Airport.
Aviation today is still based too much on fossil fuels - both on the ground and in the air.
However, we accept our responsibility and want to take our emissions into account now. We support climate protection projects run by our partner atmosfair by making an annual voluntary donation based on our CO2 emissions from airport operations. The emissions from our diesel-based vehicle fleet and the emissions from our buildings from district heating and electricity consumption are included in the calculation of CO2 emissions.
We purchase CO2 certificates from atmosfair for the total amount of CO2 generated in 2023 of 68.3 tonnes (previous year: 70.3 tonnes). With our financial contribution, we support CDM Gold Standard projects, such as the "Small biogas plants for Nepal" project, which atmosfair organises and implements locally.
The management has already implemented the following projects so that the airport can also fulfil its climate responsibility in its operations:
- Purchase of district heating from a biogas plant in the neighbourhood
- Use of heat pump-driven air conditioning systems in the tower, pilot lounge and conference room
- Energy-efficient refurbishment of the tower building (Plan B project)
- Purchase of a high proportion of green electricity
- CO2 taxation of aviation fuels(BEHG surcharge) and additional emissions certificate trading
- Voluntary emissions offsetting for fuel consumption with aerops
In addition, the following projects are currently being planned or realised:
- Replacement construction of a new thermally insulated vehicle hall (for fire brigade garage) - in realisation
- Energy-efficient roof refurbishment of hangars(for the installation of a PV system) -completed in August 2023
- Sustainable, climate-robust forest conversion in cooperation with the Hof Hospital Foundation - in realisationby 2027
- Installation of a sensor system for testing pollutant content in wastewater - completed in April 2025
- Construction of a PV system on hangar roofs - in planning
- Creation of a flowering area on the slope of runway 08 - in planning
- Blending quota of SAF in the aviation fuel sector - since 01.01.2025
Like all forms of mobility, aviation must also change. At present, flight operations are still based on the approved fuels AVGAS 100 LL (aviation petrol) for piston engines and JET-A1 (paraffin) for turbine engines. As there is (still) no alternative to these fossil fuels, the aviation industry must conduct research into new propulsion systems and fuels in terms of safety and reliability.
New types of fuels such as PtL or eFuels (CO2-neutral/synthetically produced fuels) will represent a bridging technology in order to come closer to the goal of "climate-neutral flying". SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is also a way of temporarily reducing CO2 emissions in a targeted manner.
"In the coming years, we will have to continue to make targeted investments in our operations in order to achieve aviation's climate protection goals."
Ralf Kaußler, Managing Director
We will also work together with partners on solutions that will help our customers and the aviation industry to achieve the goal of "net-zero" operations. We also take part in studies and events organised by associations on the trend-setting environmental issues in aviation and invest in our operations based on the experience gained.
CO2 taxes are already being charged on the sale of aviation fuels.
Together with the GBAA and its respective members, the IDRF has made an internal commitment to the "Innovate2Fly - High ambitions Low emissions" programme, which aims to help aviation achieve climate neutrality.
Mon - Fri: 07.00 - 20.00
Sat, Sun, Hol: 09.00 - 19.00
Other times: PPR
