Our airports are big enough!
Newcastle Airport’s Masterplan 2040 outlines ambitious expansion plans. Passenger numbers
could nearly double, to 9 million by 2040. The public consultation period offers an opportunity for
community input. To help us take part, this blog by Alan Trevethan helps us understand the wider
context of aviation emissions and what we can do about them. Please add your comments, to
share views on these crucial issues.
WAYS YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS OR SEND YOUR VIEWS:
Consultation event list:
12 August 2025: Cramlington (The Community Hub at Cramlington) 16:00PM-19:00PM
10 September 2025: Woolsington (Kingston Park) 16:00PM-19:00PM
18 September 2025: Dinnington (Dinnington Village Hall) 16:00-19:00PM
24 September 2025: Ponteland (Ponteland Leisure) 16:00PM-19:00PM
Online survey: share your thoughts here
Get in touch by e-mail or post.
E-mail: masterplan@newcastleinternational.co.uk
Postal address: Masterplan 2040, Admin Office, Newcastle International Airport,
Woolsington NE13 8BZ
Newcastle Airport’s Masterplan 2040 proposals
Newcastle Airport’s Masterplan 2040 outlines plans for growth, alongside a suggested sustainability
measures for the operation of the airport. Key proposals and their climate implications include:
Expansion Details:
Passenger Growth: Aiming for 9 million passengers by 2040, which implies an
increase in flights and associated harmful emissions.
Terminal and Infrastructure Expansion: A three-storey terminal extension,
additional baggage carousels and more than 20 new aircraft stands. These would
reduce reliance on remote stands, while facilitating increased air traffic.
Runway Extension: A proposed 700-meter extension to the eastern runway to allow
for longer-haul destinations, which would enable more carbon-intensive flights.
AirLink Cargo Hub: A 750,000 sq ft cargo facility, which will contribute to freight
emissions.
Sustainability Commitments:
Net Zero Carbon by 2035 (please note: this only applies to airport operations): The
airport aims to:
Expand on-site solar farm capacity.
Install wind turbines for further on-site renewable power.
Target 65% recycling on-site.
Plant trees and establish woodlands for biodiversity.
Modernise infrastructure to support electric vehicles (EVs) and transitioning
to an EV fleet.
Use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for non-electric operational vehicles.
Scope of Net Zero Target: it is vital to note that the Net Zero Carbon by 2035 target
specifically applies to the airport’s own direct operations (Scope 1 and 2 emissions).
These typically include emissions from electricity consumption for buildings and
facilities, heating, and the airport’s own ground vehicles and equipment. Crucially,
this target does NOT include the vast majority of aviation’s carbon footprint: the
emissions from aircraft (classified as Scope 3 emissions from flights) taking off and
landing at the airport. These flight emissions represent the dominant source of
greenhouse gases associated with airport activity and are generally outside the
direct operational control of the airport itself, falling under airline responsibility.
Recent Progress: The airport has a 34% reduction in carbon emissions for its own
operations since 2019, a 40% recycling rate, and Airport Carbon Accreditation Level
4 status.
Aviation’s share of carbon emissions: the global picture
Aviation contributes to global warming.
It currently accounts for approximately 2.5% of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and
land use.
Beyond CO2, non-CO2 effects such as nitrogen oxides, water vapour and the formation of
contrails also contribute to warming
The overall climate impact of aviation is estimated to be around 3.5% of all human-induced
climate impact.
Despite efficiency improvements in aircraft (a flight today produces half the CO2 of the same flight in
1990), the rapid growth in air travel demand has led to increasing total emissions. Aviation emissions
in 2023 were over 90% of pre-pandemic levels and are projected to surpass 2019 levels in 2025.
Globally, less than 1% of the world’s population is responsible for over 50% of commercial aviation
emissions. Air travel is mainly by people with higher incomes.
Reducing the quantity of flights
Amongst proposals to reduce the quantity of flights are:
encouraging shifts to less emission-intensive modes of transport (e.g. rail) for shorter
journeys and the development of greater choice, including sleeper services across Europe
a levy on frequent flyers (who are predominantly higher income) could ramp up charges, the
more people fly
deterrents to reduce the growth in private air travel
development of greener maritime options
Increase in use of virtual meetings as alternatives to business travel
Proposed ways to reduce aviation emissions
Decarbonising aviation presents a significant challenge, with various strategies currently being
explored and implemented:
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) is in an early stage and not yet ready to replace
conventional jet fuel, with challenges primarily related to availability and cost. Global SAF
production reached approximately 1 million tonnes (1.3 billion litres) in 2024, doubling the
2023 figure, with forecasts indicating further increases to around 2.1 million tonnes in 2025.
It can be blended with conventional jet fuel (currently up to 50% for most flights, with
testing underway for 100% SAF flights) without requiring modifications. It utilises feedstocks
(e.g. used cooking oil, animal fats, agricultural waste, municipal solid waste) and emerging
technologies using CO2 and green hydrogen. Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA),
derived from fats, oils, and greases, is currently the most common production method. The
EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation mandate starts at 2% in 2025, rising to 70% by 2050 and the UK is
also supporting SAF production through initiatives like the Advanced Fuels Fund. However,
hurdles remain for SAF to achieve the scale required for aviation’s decarbonisation: it is
currently 2 to 5 times more expensive than conventional jet fuel, and ensuring a sustainable
and scalable supply of diverse feedstocks is uncertain, especially if it needs land-use change
and competes with food production. While HEFA is commercial, other promising pathways
like Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis (from biomass gasification or CO2/hydrogen) and Alcohol-
to-Jet (AtJ) are still scaling up.
Fuel-Efficient Aircraft and Technology: Ongoing advancements in aircraft design and engine
technology contribute to more fuel-efficient planes. Newer aircraft models are typically 15-
20% more efficient than previous generations. Efforts include reducing weight, improving
aerodynamics (e.g., wingtip technology), and optimising engine performance.
Operational Efficiencies: Airlines and airports can implement measures to reduce fuel burn
during flights and ground operations. This includes optimising flight paths, reducing
unnecessary taxiing, and using fixed electrical ground power and pre-conditioned air
systems at gates instead of aircraft auxiliary power units.
Improved Air Traffic Management: More efficient navigation systems and procedures can
lead to more direct routes and reduced flight times, contributing to fuel savings and
emission reductions.
Electrification of Ground Operations: Replacing diesel-powered ground support equipment
and vehicles with electric alternatives can reduce emissions at airports.
Market-Based Measures: Schemes like the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO)
Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) aim to offset
emissions growth through carbon credits. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is also
being strengthened for intra-European flights, with a move towards full auctioning of
allowances by 2026.
“Best practice” examples of sustainable airport expansion (as noted
elsewhere – airports themselves are only a small proportion of the emissions
generated by aviation)
Airports globally are adopting sustainability measures as part of their development, with some
implementing integrated approaches:
Renewable Energy Integration and Self-Sufficiency:
Cochin International Airport (India): world’s first airport to be 100% powered by
solar energy, utilising a large solar array on airport buildings and surrounding land.
Denver International Airport (USA): Hosts one of the largest solar power plants at a
US airport, with multiple arrays generating significant electricity.
Circular Economy and Waste Management Innovations:
Rome Fiumicino Airport (Italy): on-site composting, processing up to 1,000 metric
tonnes of food waste annually from terminal restaurants and bars, with compost
used for airport’s landscaped areas; biological wastewater treatment plant for on-
site water recycling, helping 30% reduction in water consumption.
Galapagos Ecological Airport (Ecuador): Constructed with 80% recycled materials,
including steel from decommissioned oil extraction infrastructure.
Integrated Design, Biophilic Principles, and Energy Efficiency:
Singapore Changi Airport: extensive natural lighting, large glass panels, skylights to
reduce energy consumption. Terminal 4 also features smart cooling systems that
adjust temperatures based on human traffic.
Frankfurt International Airport (Germany): extensive system of green roofs
covering about 40,000 m² to improve air quality, temperature regulation, and
provide noise reduction.
Advanced Operational Efficiencies and Digitalization:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands): aims for emission-free and zero-waste
operations by 2030, and to be circular energy-positive company by 2050. Runs
entirely on Dutch wind power and electrifying ground fleets, and exploring fully
autonomous airside operations by 2050 to optimise efficiency and reduce emissions.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain): solar lighting systems, uses
geothermal climate control systems in buildings, along with AI-powered air traffic
management systems to optimise flight routes and reduce fuel consumption.
Community Engagement and Local Economy Integration:
Some airports are exploring developing farm-to-airport supply chains to source food
locally for airport restaurants and potentially airline catering, supporting local
economies and reducing transport emissions.
Initiatives to invest in local community decarbonisation (e.g. supporting the
replacement of domestic boilers with heat pumps) also being explored.
Smart Building and Energy Management:
Airports are increasingly adopting IoT sensors and real-time data analytics to
monitor and optimize energy consumption across all facilities, leading to automatic
power-down systems for escalators, conveyors, and lighting when not in use.
Newcastle Airport has stated commitments to expanding its solar farm, installing
wind turbines and transitioning to an EV fleet, aligning with some of these global
practices.
Drawing on Campaigner Actions: Lessons from Bristol and Leeds
The challenges facing Newcastle regarding airport expansion are not unique. Campaign groups at other UK airports have been actively engaging with similar proposals, offering valuable insights into potential strategies for community action:
- Vigorous Engagement with Consultations and Planning Processes: Groups like the Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) and the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) have thoroughly scrutinized airport masterplans, submitting detailed responses to consultations, and highlighting the disconnect between expansion targets and climate commitments. Their efforts often involve dissecting the airport’s economic justifications and environmental assessments.
- Leveraging Independent Climate Advice: Campaigners consistently cite expert bodies such as the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC), which has advised against airport expansion unless significant and proven decarbonisation across the entire aviation sector (including flights) is underway – a key argument against the expansion of Scope 3 emissions.
- Pursuing Legal Avenues: Both BAAN and GALBA have demonstrated the willingness and capability to engage in legal challenges, including appealing planning decisions and pursuing judicial reviews. GALBA, for instance, successfully saw Leeds Bradford Airport withdraw its planning application before a public inquiry and is currently challenging the national “Jet Zero” strategy through legal means. This highlights the potential for sustained legal pressure.
- Focusing on the Scope 3 Incompatibility: A central tenet of their campaigns is to expose the inadequacy of airports’ “net zero operations” pledges, by consistently clarifying that these do not cover the vast majority of emissions from flights. They argue that facilitating growth in passenger numbers directly contradicts net-zero goals, regardless of internal airport efficiencies.
- Highlighting Local Environmental and Social Impacts: Beyond climate, these groups effectively campaign on tangible local issues such as increased noise pollution, worsened local air quality, increased road traffic and congestion, and the potential loss of greenbelt land for airport infrastructure.
- Building Broad Community Alliances: Successful campaigns often involve uniting diverse local groups, residents, and environmental organizations to present a unified front against expansion.
***OTHER LINKS AND READING:
Stop Airport Expansion petition (sign by 24 September):
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/714927
Newcastle Aircraft Noise Action campaign : https://www.aircraftnoiseaction.com/
Stay Grounded campaign: https://stay-grounded.org/
Friends of the Earth: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/can-flying-ever-be-green