Engineering the Future of Sustainable Airports

Airports are hubs of connectivity, driving economies and enabling the freedom of travel. In the face of urgent climate challenges, the aviation industry is under growing pressure to transform. Sustainability is nan imperative. Deerns brings a unique approach that integrates technological advancements, environmental expertise and a deep understanding of airport operations.

Sustainability Imperative

Recently, airports embraced ambitious carbon reduction goals, with major worldwide hubs such as Paris Orly and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Therin lies the challenge: committing to carbon neutrality by 2030 and 2035,. The challenge lies in balancing operational growth with sustainability imperatives. Airports must reduce energy consumption while maintaining efficiency, safety and passenger comfort.

This transition requires holistic strategies that address infrastructure, energy use and regulatory compliance. Engineering firms must plan for changing regulations and prioritise sustainability from design through to operations. This is where Deerns excels – combining MEP expertise with façade engineering, building physics and sustainability to create futureproof airport infrastructure.

Engineering Complex Airport Ecosystems

Airports involve an array of stakeholders, each with distinct, albeit conflicting, priorities. – including authorities, operators, airlines, passengers and tenants Successfully designing and constructing airport infrastructure requires seamless coordination among these diverse interests.

With over two decades of experience in airport engineering, Deerns understands these complexities. We work as a facilitator, supporting dialogue between all stakeholders to achieve unified, efficient and sustainable outcomes. The firm’s ability to integrate multiple disciplines – ranging from logistics and building physics to energy management – creates airports that are not only operationally efficient but also aligned with long term environmental goals.

Deerns’ three-fold approach to Sustainability

Deerns is at the forefront of designing energy efficient and sustainable airport infrastructure. With expertise that spans multiple disciplines and industries, the firm delivers integrated solutions that optimise energy use and minimise carbon footprints.

• Energy Transformation: Airports possess vast surfaces suitable for renewable energy generation, including photovoltaic (PV) systems and geothermal solutions. Deerns explores how these energy sources can power airport buildings and surrounding communities. A prime example is the discussion around airports utilising PV systems to generate green hydrogen, paving the way for sustainable aviation fuel alternatives
• Logistics and Flow Optimisation: Passenger movement, baggage handling and cargo operations are key contributors to airport emissions. Deerns applies a systems engineering approach to streamline these processes, reducing inefficiencies and integrating security, safety and logistics seamlessly into airport designs.
• Adapting to Regulatory Changes: With airport projects typically spanning seven years from planning to the start of operations, anticipating regulatory shifts is crucial. Deerns embeds flexibility into designs, ensuring that infrastructure remains compliant with future environmental laws and efficiency standards.

Cross-Sector Innovation and Collaborative Partnerships

A key differentiator for Deerns is its ability to draw on expertise from other industries such as data centres and laboratories and apply these learnings to airport engineering. This cross-sectoral approach enables the firm to introduce innovative, energy efficient solutions tailored to the unique needs of airports.

Beyond technical expertise, Deerns prioritises long term partnerships with airport clients. Rather than working remotely in design offices, the firm positions itself alongside clients on site, fostering collaboration and a deeper understanding of operational needs. This investment in relationship-building ensures solutions are not only technically sound but also practically viable.

Here’s where we engineer a Sustainable Future

A major challenge for airports is attracting young engineers, who are wary of the industry’s environmental impact. Deerns recognises that these young professionals are precisely the ones needed to drive the transformation of airports. Our message is clear: aviation is evolving, and sustainability-focused engineers will play a pivotal role in reshaping its future.

Future airports have the potential to become energy hubs that not only serve aviation needs but also contribute to regional energy grids, supplying power to surrounding communities and supporting the transition to green aviation fuels. This shift will redefine airports as critical assets in the broader sustainability movement.

Beyond major international hubs, regional airports across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) are seeing increased importance. Advances in aircraft technology are enabling regional connectivity with lower fuel consumption, creating new opportunities for smaller airports to expand their role in the aviation ecosystem.

Premier Engineering Partner

Looking ahead, Deerns is committed to playing a pivotal role in transforming the airports industry. Our expertise in energy, logistics and core engineering disciplines positions us as a key player in helping airports transition to a more sustainable future.

In a world where air travel continues to be a symbol of freedom and global connectivity, Deerns’ mission is to ensure that this freedom is preserved in a sustainable and responsible manner.