As Geneva airport embarks on an ambitious plan to build a new 350-million franc terminal, pressure groups are expressing concern that this will lead to more flight movements in Geneva and increase air pollution.
Noé21, an independent Geneva based association whose mission it is to identify, evaluate and promote solutions to climate change, claims that the consumption of aviation fuel increased 78% at the airport between 2000 and 2011.
As airport spokesman Bertrand Stämpfli pointed out to the Tribune de Genève, “this will not create traffic, the growth is already there".
"The aim of the new terminal is to improve the passenger experience by improving facilities for passengers prior to take off and after landing", Stämpfli added.
While an increase in CO2 is inevitable, it must be remembered that Geneva airport is environmentally responsible and has one of the most focussed energy policies in the canton of Geneva.
Source: Tribune de Genève
