Air quality is influenced by various pollution sources. Chemical substances released into the atmosphere are in general referred to as emissions and monitored directly at sources (e.g. chimneys). Once in the air, emissions are referred to as imissions.
Air Quality
Air quality is monitored on an ongoing basis throughout the Czech Republic as part of the Automatic Pollution Monitoring System, using fixed monitoring stations, primarily operated by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. The closest station to Prague/Ruzyně airport is located in Suchdol, in Prague 6.
Prague Airport performs its own air quality measurements at selected locations at approximately two-year intervals. The results are primarily used to prepare various studies (in particular in supporting documentation for environmental impact assessments – EIA).
Prague Airport actively works with the Studio of Ecological Models to refine air quality evaluation models for the City of Prague. Contributions from airlines were included in the model in 2010.
Reducing Emissions
Prague Airport follows global trends and is taking part in various international efforts with the goal of limiting own emission sources. The main programmes include:
Airport Carbon Accreditation
Collaborative Decision Making
The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is the aviation industry’s reaction to climate change. The goal is to reduce airport-generated greenhouse gas emissions, caused primarily by energy and fuel consumption, transport to/from the airport, the operation of airport service vehicles, aircraft taxiing, heating and cooling buildings, etc. With its proactive approach to resolving the impact of aviation industry on the environment, Prague Airport was accepted into ACA in November 2010.
A project is also under way at Prague/Ruzyně airport with the goal to implement procedures to optimise and harmonise air traffic called Airport - Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM). Improved time management upon aircraft handling contributes to reduction of emissions from aviation operations.
Since 2006, Prague Airport has been a part of the EU ETS system.