12 June 2009

With over 20 million people passing through on an annual basis, an airport presents a readily available audience with which to communicate to green issues. Manchester Airport is looking to capitalise on this by launching environmental learning zones within its terminals. Professor Callum Thomas from the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University launched the first zone today.

The airport has a commitment to be carbon neutral for its ground operations to be reached by 2015 and has constructed its learning zones so passengers who use the airport can hear about the progress being made on this UK first position.

2009 has already been a year of several firsts for the airport on the environment front with the unveiling of recycling super zones, the opening of the low carbon Concorde Centre, the launch of carbon offsetting on the website and the opening of the third rail platform at the airport station.

Perhaps one of the most significant achievements was the awarding of the Carbon Trust Standard in February. The achievement saw the airport being the first airport in the UK to meet the target and saw independent verification of the airport's carbon reduction measures. This work has subsequently continued with the airport signing its service partners up to its Community Carbon Pledge, which seeks their support in attaining the carbon neutral target and asking them to demonstrate a reduction in carbon emissions. There are several hundred partners on site.

Further projects have focused on adding electric Smart Cars to the fleet and support to bus services serving the airport, which assists in bringing down the carbon emissions associated with travel. The airport was allocated several prototype electric cars as part of a Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform-funded partnership with the airport group sourcing a proportion of its electricity from renewable sources.

The forecast growth of the aviation sector has to be accompanied by stringent measures to manage and limit the environmental impacts and the airport is taking leading strides to tackle those impacts with its work on the environment, on ground transport and with its work in the community and particularly in the education sector. The zones will be a welcome addition to that education programme. Education already takes a front seat in the work taking place at both the Aviation Viewing Park and in the Community Relations department, which works with several schools in the area.

Tim Walmsley, Head of Environment at Manchester Airport, said: "The issue of aviation and the environment is one that in general still splits the opinion of the public, the decision makers and the media. However, we've done much here at Manchester and across our Group of airports to mitigate the environmental impacts of aviation using leading edge research at the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University. These zones will give us an opportunity to spread the knowledge of our work to our passengers and staff who share those concerns about the environment."
The airport has always put the importance of research at the forefront of all of its work on the environment and continues to work with the nationally focussed Omega programme, another centre of education based in Manchester leading on research into aviation sustainability issues in the UK.
The zone is located in the airport's station on the route between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

ENDS

Pupils from Parklands High School will be making their mark at their new school this week, when they take part in a ceremonial beam signing at the new Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA).

Building work is well underway on the site of the brand new £19m MEA in Wythenshawe and to celebrate progress to date, a number of pupils, along with Principal Designate Marie Quayle, will be signing and dating one of the beams at the new building.

The Academy, which is one of seven across the city and one of the first to open, will provide 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post 16 provision for 120 students from 2010.

It will open in September 2009 and be based in the existing Parklands High School buildings for its first year, before moving into brand new purpose built facilities on the same site in September 2010.

Sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College,
MEA will be a totally new way of educating young people to meet the learning needs of the city's businesses.

Marie Quayle, Principal Designate of MEA says: "The beam signing ceremony is another milestone bringing us closer to the opening of what will be a wonderful resource, not only for the students, but for parents and the community of Wythenshawe as a whole. "

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, says: "At Manchester Airport, we believe that we have a responsibility to the community's schools, colleges, teachers and students. Throughout every level of our business, we have already been actively involved in the project; helping to manage the design of the new school building, recruiting staff and offering support to the development of the Academy and its curriculum. We believe it's set for a bright new future, having secured 'Academy' status and having seen first hand the work that has been going on behind the scenes in preparation for the new school year in September."

The Academy will differ from existing schools in that sponsors will work alongside teachers to design learning and assessment materials. All students will have personal mentors as well as round the clock access to materials and support to encourage 'anytime, anywhere learning.'

The site will be open from 7am to 10pm and will become the hub of the community giving parents, families and the whole community the opportunity to benefit from the facilities.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Children's Services, says: "The MEA will be a new and exciting place to learn and will help ensure that our children and young people gain the skills and qualifications demanded by employers. The Academy will be a huge boost for Wythenshawe and will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of the area as a whole."

For more information about Manchester City Council visit www.manchester.gov.uk

ENDS

Manchester Airport is celebrating a double success, having received two prestigious awards from the Prince of Wales' charity, Business in the Community at a Gala Dinner.

The work of the Community Relations team at Manchester Airport was honoured with two 'Big Tick' awards at the BITC North West's 2009 Awards Gala Dinner held at The Monastery Manchester in Gorton.

The Big Ticks are the UK's most influential independent, peer-assessed corporate responsibility awards, recognising and celebrating those companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.

Manchester Airport was awarded the 'Merrill Lynch Education Award' for its 'Education into Employment' programme. The airport is already the lead sponsor of Parklands High School, shortly to become the Manchester Enterprise Academy. In addition to supporting Parklands, the airport also supports three other Wythenshawe secondary schools and one in Knutsford. The airport's programme of activity seeks to link its employees with the six key local schools and leverage additional support though our contractors and service partners on site.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director, Andrew Cornish, said; "Over the last twelve months we have continued our work with our neighbouring communities and schools. Our intentions remain the same, to add value and create opportunity. Our social responsibility activities are at the core of our business and we embrace the opportunities that they provide to develop our own staff."

The team was also successful with the 'Power in Partnership Award' - for companies, who collaborate to positively impact communities - was also awarded to Manchester Airport on behalf of BW3 (the Business Working With Wythenshawe) group. Formed in 2002, BW3 is an alliance of companies who are based in Wythenshawe or who have a special affinity to the area. BW3 is an independent employer led group of organisations chaired by Manchester Airport and aims to support the social and economic regeneration of Wythenshawe through community involvement activities.

Raksha Pattni, Regional Director, Business in the Community, said: "I would like to congratulate Manchester Airport for the work which has led to them being recognised in two award categories. The Airport's commitment to and understanding of the importance of developing opportunities in its local community is particularly impressive.

"Now more than ever, at a time of reduced income and spending power and diminishing trust in business, businesses need to demonstrate that to be a leading company is to be a responsible one. The Big Tick winners in the North West are certainly flying the flag for responsible business here, and I hope will prove valuable inspiration for others following in their footsteps."

The team was also nominated for the 'The Lancaster University Management School Award for Leadership for Sustainability' in recognition of exceptional leadership contributing to a more sustainable society. This came from their work with the Airport Community Network. The aim being to improve the opportunities and experiences offered to local people to give them the chance to access careers.

15 June 09