Fuerteventura Airport

Fuerteventura Airport
2008 Environmental Management Report
Aeropuerto
de Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura Airport
2008 Environmental
Management Report
3 Presentation
6
Introduction
10
Environmental Management System
11
Environmental policy
14
Environmental factors
16
Discharges
24
Waste
28
Air quality control 30
Noise
32
Consumption of natural resources
34
Objectives
36
Creating environmental awareness
37
Biodiversity
43
Wildlife control
44
Environmental Impact Declaration
47
Conclusions
Presentation
Presentación
The hard living conditions on the island converted the locals into permanent emigrants until, in the 1980s,
the desert-like landscape, the good climate and the unbeatable conditions for practising sports such as scuba
diving and surfing started to become valued by Europeans. This tourist explosion has duplicated the population of the island in the last 20 years and has transformed the island socially and economically.
Fuerteventura is the easternmost island of the Canary Archipelago, and is some 100 km from the African
continent. It is 108 kilometres long and 20 kilometres wide on average. This makes it the longest island of
the Archipelago and the second largest in size after Tenerife, with 1,731 square kilometres. However, its
highest point is less than 1,000 metres altitude.
3
Presentation
The inhabitants of old Maxorata enjoy an exceptional climate with average temperatures of about
20°C all year round, favoured by the warm trade
winds. The climate on the island of Fuerteventura,
like the rest of the Canary Archipelago, owes its
weather characteristics to its geographical situation, as its subtropical nature determines that its
climate is the result of the alternation of subtropical anticyclones, which cause dry, stable weather
and of Atlantic depressions, which are less frequent, leading to unstable, rainy weather. It also
has a series of particularities due to the cold current of the Canary Islands, its proximity to the African continent and its geographical relief.
The island is part of the African Plate. Learning
about its geological model is particularly surprising: it has a volcanic landscape which has been
flattened by long-standing erosive action. Not
surprisingly, in ancient times it was called Planaria
(a word that stems from “flat”). It is also notable
for its scarce plant life, which contributes to its subdesert environment. This is the most desert-like
land in the whole of the Spanish territory in which
the lack of water resources has historically made its
economic development difficult.
4
The greatest levels of rainfall are recorded in the
high areas. The conditions of dryness are accentuated in the eastern sector and in the south, in short,
in the lower areas. The dryness of Fuerteventura is
marked by the low rainfall and the high level of
evaporation, which condition the availability of
water and the development of the plants. In addition, the abundance of livestock that exists is a serious problem for the scarce plant life as well as for
the land. The absence of plant life favours the erosive action of the land, making the development
of the island and the feasibility of the ecosystems
extraordinarily difficult; this means that organisms
have to adapt to these hard conditions which favours endemicity. This surprising but beautiful nature, which is of great biological importance, has
a fragile balance, making it easily transformed by
anthropic causes and easily converted into a degraded environment.
The majestic nature of its beaches with turquoise,
calm, clean water and the fields of gently undulating sand dunes shape a unique oasis of great beauty, which is a delight to travellers’ eyes. This great
privilege of spectacular beaches with white sand
and contrasting volcanic landscapes inland, make
Fuerteventura a magical destination in Spain.
In the Archipelago in general, the island of
Fuerteventura and specifically its central area are
of great geological interest as one can observe the
relationship between materials from the previous
stage of emersion of this area as an island and the
subaerial volcanism, widely represented on all the
Canary Islands. On the island of Fuerteventura,
one can highlight two geological happenings that
distinguish it from the rest of the archipelago: the
existence of a plutonic, basic and ultrabasic substratum and the presence of a dyke complex of extraordinary density which affected, at a regional level,
the relatively ancient formations of the western sector of the island. The land on which Fuerteventura
Airport sits consists of basalt lava flow which came
from the emission of El Cerro de Cercado Viejo volcano, whose lava flowed down to the sea.
The hydrogeological characteristics of the volcanic
formations rapidly became impoverished over time
as they are rocks that are easily altered and which,
due to their weight, become compacted in depth.
The alteration gives origin to the formation of
clayey minerals that can fill in or seal the cracks, as
well as the deposition of secondary minerals which
end up obstructing the fissures, pores and small
cavities. All this means that, as a whole, the exis-
ting aquifers are in a poor hydrogeological
condition. The dry weather conditions have
given rise to the formation of caliche or calcareous concretions which have covered the
previously mentioned lava flows. In the area
of the airport, the caliche is almost continuous, with a thickness varying between various centimetres and a metre and a half. To
the north of the airport, perpendicular to
the runway, there is a deposit of hillside ruins which are frequent in the area.
The predominant winds at Fuerteventura
Airport have a north and north-easterly
component.
Due to its geographical characteristics and
its poorly developed network of roads, the
problems of Fuerteventura were particularly difficult. The lack of communication to
which the island was subjected was partially
solved for long years by the old steamboats
which came to the capital of the island, then
called Puerto Cabras, twice a week, but they
did not meet the expectations for efficient
communication with the rest of the islands
and with mainland Spain.
5
Introduction
An airport looking to the future of the island
Fuerteventura Airport is located in the municipal area of
Puerto del Rosario, 5 km from the capital, Puerto del Rosario, 90 km from the south coast and 30 km from the
north coast. It was officially opened on 14th September
1969. The first aeroplane to land was an Iberia Focker 27.
In 1973, Fuerteventura Airport started to operate its first
flights to Europe. In the following years, it underwent a
considerable increase in the number of operations, meaning that in 1978, to offer a fast response to the new market opportunities, a series of essential improvements were
carried out on the infrastructures and services in order to
provide airport passengers and users with a suitable level
of quality. All the actions were developed and consolidated efficiently and have focused the airport on its customers with the hope of obtaining excellent results.
6
Economic sectors
Although in the past the basic sector that moved
the island’s economy was stock breeding and growing cereals, tourism is currently the sector that is
the driving force behind the development of the
island.
Fuerteventura Airport plays a fundamental role in
the tourist development of the island. The commitment of its workers to the project contributes to
obtaining results, as their participation in the activities to improve and support the management, as
well as the contribution of innovative ideas, greatly
help in achieving the goal and allowing this culture
of business excellence to strengthen.
Since its inauguration in 1969, every year the airport has increased the number of passengers until
reaching 4,492,076 in 2008. It is an airport that is
connected to more than 60 European cities, that
has the necessary infrastructures and services to offer an efficient response to the tourist demands of
the island.
7
Introduction
Passengers
Goods
5,000,000
Aeroplanes
4,000,000
4,000,000
50,000
40,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
30,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
20,000
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
1,000,000
2004
2005
In 1992, more than 1,200,000 passengers passed
through the airport meaning that the terminal
building and the apron for the aeroplanes needed
to be reformed. In 1994, the construction of a new
8
2006
2007
2008
10,000
2004
2005
2006
2007
air terminal, an apron for the aeroplanes, a taxiing
lane and a new power station were started. These
new installations enabled the airport to reach a capacity of 5 million passengers a year.
2008
To maintain the environmental quality of this excellent setting, the airport has developed different strategies to adapt to the particular nature of
the island and to minimise the impact of air traffic.
Therefore, in 1997, it set up a new standard exit
manoeuvre for runway 01 that has managed to reduce the number of flights over Puerto del Rosario
by 60% and the average noise level by 40%. It also
increased the runway by 1,000 metres towards the
south to reduce the noise levels in nearby towns
and built a plant barrier for acoustic protection
in the southeast area of the airport. For the same
reason, in 2009 the threshold of header 19L will
be moved. A new plant barrier is also being constructed in the northern area, which will contribute
to the landscape integration of the airport with its
environment.
Fuerteventura Airport looks to the future of the
island and takes on its role with new challenges
and projects, such as the extension of the terminal
building by more than 40,000 m2 and the forthcoming setting up of an Automated Baggage Handling
System (ABHS), which will, without doubt, improve
the quality and safety for airport passengers and
users.
2008 was particularly important from the environmental point of view, as relevant goals were
achieved, marked in the strategic line of sustainable development for Fuerteventura Airport.
The main objective of this environmental report
is to inform interested groups about the most significant aspects of the environmental management
carried out during 2008. It consists of 16 parts which
cover the environmental peculiarities of Fuerteventura Airport and which mark its path in ecological
matters.
9
Environmental management system
A good environment for better development
Today’s society is increasing its demand for resources. It is also seeking a greater commitment to the
environment meaning that any development must
be sustainable, thus improving the quality of life
of its citizens.
This increased awareness about the preservation of
the natural environment has led to more restrictive
legislation in environmental matters.
Fuerteventura Airport, in keeping with this concern for preserving nature and aware that the activities and processes that it develops may produce
a harmful impact on the environment, has introduced an environmental management system. This
standard contributes to creating added value, as
it allows it to collaborate in the protection of the
environment. Essential operational control procedures are set up in the day-to-day running of the
airport. With this regulation mechanism, it is considered opportune to highlight the improvement
in activities likely to cause negative associated
impacts on the environment, as they are developed under conditions that eliminate or minimise
them.
The environmental variable is included in the airport management, modifying habits of consumption in a way that is more friendly to the environment, managing hazardous and urban-like waste
in a safer way, decreasing air pollution and rigorously controlling the parameters for discharging
the wastewater generated.
All this allows the systematic improvement of the
environmental performance of Fuerteventura Airport and of its people.
The control of this environmental management
system is carried out by means of a computer application which deals with all the documentation
of the system, integrating it with the quality management system as per the ISO 9001 standard and
making up an integrated management system
(quality and environment). This modernisation
plan, by means of the use of new information and
communication technologies, has transformed the
management model of both systems, giving them
greater dynamics and efficacy in accessing documents.
The environmental management system was certified in accordance with the international ISO 14001
standard in December 2001.
10
Environmental policy
Environmental commitment
Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea, Aena,
as a leading association in offering transport services through its airports and air navigation system,
in a framework of safety, quality and efficiency, is
aware of its commitment to society to protect the
environment and of its contribution to the sustainability of air transport.
In keeping with this responsibility, Aena offers, as
one of its goals, excellence in providing the services
it has assigned and it requires, within the framework of the Spanish Strategy of Sustainable Development, the application of measures that will
allow the sustainable development of air transport
through the balance between costs and the social,
environmental and economic benefits and positive
results for our society.
Along these lines, Aena’s commitment to the environment has been developing constantly and
continuously, through the definition of a set of
programmes and actions, as well as a progressive
increase in the assignation of resources to achieve
its environmental objectives. All this is organised
around an environmental policy, which undergoes
continuous reviews, which has successfully caught
on in the collective conscience of our organisation.
In the same way, the environmental variable is incorporated into all the stages of activity: planning,
projecting, construction and offering services, permitting, through the relevant indicators, the definition of prevention, protection, compensatory
and corrective measures that minimise the impacts
that are potentially associated to the airport activity, air navigation and infrastructure development,
thus guaranteeing better levels of environmental
quality, economic progress and the preservation of
natural values.
In keeping with this environmental commitment,
the introduction of environmental management
systems is promoted in airport and air navigation
centres, based on recognized international standards that allow environmental certificates to be
obtained.
In particular, in keeping with the commitments of
the Kyoto Protocol, it aims for a reduction in the
emission of gases that contribute to the climate
change, through making an efficient use of the
energy resources and the progressive use of renewable energies, compatible with operational
requirements.
All this leads Aena to establish its commitment to
environmental excellence, in response to the social
and environmental demands that guarantee the
sustainable development of air transport by means
of the following principles:
11
Environmental management system
Environmental principles
To respect and protect the environment as the basic objective in managing the
activities that Aena has entrusted to it in matters of airports and air navigation, as
well as in the development of aeronautical infrastructures and of commercial spaces
and services.
To make the development of air transport compatible with the preservation of the
environment, so that today’s actions do not jeopardise the quality of life for future
generations, thus fostering sustainable development.
To set up procedures for getting to know and being aware of the updates to the
legal requirements applicable to Aena’s activity and other subscribed requirements,
as well as complying with them.
To introduce an Environmental Management System at each centre in accordance
with this Environmental Policy that enables environmental objectives and goals to
be periodically defined, as well as to control and systematically assess the level with
which they are complied with to ensure continuous improvement and the prevention of pollution.
To promote actions designed to minimise noise levels and to contribute towards
preserving the quality of life of the towns in the vicinity of the airport.
To prevent air pollution that could be associated to Aena’s activities, taking into
account the technical and economic means available, minimising the chemical emissions and setting up suitable measures of control, surveillance and correction.
To promote the re-use, recycling and management of waste in a way that respects
the environment.
12
To rationalise the consumption of energy and of natural resources, through energy
efficiency and the progressive use of renewable energies.
To act transparently with the administrations, institutions and communities in the
area in which Aena carries out its activity and to closely co-operate with them in
the prevention of possible environmental impacts that could be created by activities
associated to air transport.
To inform all Aena’s employees, contractors and concessionaries about the
Environmental Policy and to put it at the disposition of our clients and the rest of
society.
To create awareness amongst the staff by means of training and awareness-creation
programmes on the importance of the correct development of their activities,
fostering their participation in complying with the objectives.
To adjust the Environmental Policy from time to time to the new objectives of the
organisation, adapting it to the new needs that arise.
Madrid, 2nd June 2003
President-Managing Director of Aena
13
Environmental factors
Getting to know for planning purposes
Only efficient information will allow the problems
that the airport faces to be understood. In this way,
the conviction to be able to solve them and to face
the environmental challenges envisaged for the future with guarantees is in its hands.
For the environmental factors identified, the operations, activities and associated functions are
analysed, planning in a way that ensures that they
are developed under controlled conditions, meaning that they are provided with the necessary instruments to correct their effects and mitigate any
incidents that may derive from them.
The following table shows the environmental
factors of Fuerteventura Airport, which reflect the
significant factors as well as the insignificant ones
for 2008, which will enable us to establish the environmental objectives in the corresponding environment management programme more efficiently.
14
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 2008
SIGNIFICANT
Emissions from mobile generator
YES
Consumption of diesel for generators
YES
Consumption of drinking water from the mains supply
YES
Consumption of petrol by Aena vehicles in Fuerteventura Airport
YES
Generation of used batteries
YES
Generation of remains of wood and pallets
YES
Generation of sludge from the wastewater treatment plant
YES
Electricity consumption
YES
Generation of rubble
NO
Generation of used lead-acid batteries
NO
Generation of end-of-life electronic equipment and material with remains of HW
NO
Generation of light containers
NO
Generation of garden waste
NO
Generation of common rubbish
NO
Generation of empty containers with remains of HW
NO
Consumption of diesel by Aena vehicles in Fuerteventura Airport
NO
Spillage of rainwater 1
NO
Spillage of rainwater 2
NO
Generation of scrap iron
NO
Generation of paper and cardboard
NO
Generation of used toner and ink cartridges
NO
Spillage of treated water to be re-used for irrigation
NE
Emissions from diesel vehicles
NE
Generation of mineral or synthetic oil used by motors
NE
Emissions of petrol vehicles
NE
Generation of used oil filters
NE
Generation of used tyres
NE
Generation of glass
NE
Generation of clothes and soil contaminated with hydrocarbons
NE
Generation of end-of-life fluorescent light bulbs
NE
Consumption of diesel for firefighting practices
NE
Generation of end-of-life ionic detectors
NE
Consumption of petrol for firefighting practices
NE
NE: Not evaluated.
15
Environmental factors
Discharges
The water cycle
The aim of the integrated water treatment system
at Fuerteventura Airport is to prevent the generation of wastewater and to promote the re-use of
treated water for the irrigation of forest areas and
the airport gardens, not only with the correct quality but also with the safe knowledge that it will
comply with current legislation in matters of water
and protection of the hydrological system. For this,
the entire water treatment process, from collecting
the seawater through to the use of treated water
for irrigation purposes, is carried out in installations
that have the necessary technology and that allow
the natural resources to be made the most of.
16
Thanks to this process, it is possible to decrease
the consumption of drinking water which is an
essential, irreplaceable element for life. It must be
used in a rational way, so that the impact of the
activities generated in Fuerteventura Airport on
the environment is minimal and so that a stable
developmental model which respects the environment is achieved.
Efficient water management is considered to be a
priority in a place where it is a scarce asset; for this,
a significant effort is being carried out to improve
the management of this resource with maximum
guarantees for environmental quality, improving
the existing infrastructures such as the new project
to reform the wastewater treatment plant which
will allow for better hydrological planning and reorganisation of the airport’s water resources.
Desalination plant
The increase in the need for water supply, due
to the greater number of passengers in recent
years and the forthcoming opening of new airport installations required the installation of a
desalination plant for seawater, using reverse osmosis with a 500 m3 capacity, whose production
of drinking water is destined to guarantee the
supply of water for consumption in the airport
installations.
The water used is collected from the sea in a well
that is close to the coast. This raw water supplies
the desalination plant where it is made drinkable
by means of the reverse osmosis process which
basically consists of separating by means of pressure in semi-permeable membranes situated in
pressure pipes. A specially designed pump is responsible for constantly supplying the raw water
that needs to be treated and for maintaining the
right pressure for this mechanism. This process
allows Fuerteventura Airport to supply high quality drinking water and to reject the salt from the
seawater (brine).
The osmosis process is essentially a copy of the
natural biological mechanism by means of which
cells obtain the necessary water to complete their
life cycle.
In view of the importance that this process has
for people’s health, it is carried out by means of
a protocol of self-control and management of
the supply of water for human consumption that
includes all the necessary technical and health
specifications and that complies with all the legal
requirements of a local, regional, state and community nature, thus guaranteeing the protection
of the health of airport passengers and users.
17
Aspectos ambientales
Environmental
factors
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The airport has a wastewater treatment plant
which collects the wastewater generated in the
airport installation by means of networks of collectors and channels it to the plant, as well as the
water that comes from the bilge of the aeroplanes
which is treated by means of a physical-chemical
system before entering the wastewater treatment
plant.
The non-biodegradable waste found in the wastewater must be separated and isolated from this
raw water before entering the biological treatment system. This is done by means of a pre-treatment or rotating screen system which mechanically separates floating solids of a considerable
size and deposits them in specific containers to be
dealt with.
Once this preliminary physical separation has been
carried out, the treatment itself is started, which
consists of decanting the pre-treated water into a
tank or primary decanter, which is another physical process. Once this is done, the natural biological treatment of the water is started in percolator
filters by bacteria that assimilate the organic matter present in the water (bacteria beds).
18
The water line continues in the macrophytes in
flotation lagoons where, basically, these floating
plants absorb the oxygen from the air and transport it to their root system through difference in
pressure. This O2 creates an extensive layer of aerobic microbes which degrade the organic load that
remains, while the phosphorus and nitrogen in the
form of nitrates are directly assimilated by these
plants.
Finally, the treated water goes through a secondary
decanter where the water is clarified and it goes
from here to the irrigation tank, having passed
through the final filtering system.
The treated water is subjected to an analytical control that guarantees that the water returned to the
environment is in the right condition, thus avoiding
polluting the land and the water that runs under it
and preventing, as much as possible, the negative
impact on the environment, as the soil and the hydrographic basins work like ecosystems.
The effluent that results from the wastewater treatment is used for irrigating the gardens and green
areas of the airport, improving the integration of
the landscape with the environment, contributing
to greater social well-being.
The sludge generated is dehydrated in a centrifuge
to eliminate the greatest amount of water possible
until it is dry enough to be sent to the landfill, thus
completing this complex and vital cycle of water at
Fuerteventura Airport.
At present, significant improvements in the operating system of the wastewater treatment plant are
being carried out, for which work is being done to
prepare it, consisting of the installation of a homogenisation tank for wastewater, where this physical
operation by air will take place and the adjustment
of a constant pump flow to the subsequent units.
The aim of this is to maintain the characteristics of
the effluent that needs to be treated on the one
hand and, on the other hand, to allow the wastewater treatment plant to be fed by a constant flow
to obtained a better overall performance and improve the parameters of the effluent.
19
Environmental factors
Automatic station for analysing water quality
With the aim of providing the production processes as well as the treatment and re-use of water
with an automatic control system and to act on
the mechanisms that intervene in them instantly,
which grants the ability to control and reduce
costs, and in the line of continuous improvement
of the activities developed during the activity,
four cabins have been installed provided with automatic smart analysers which are technologically
advanced, for the continuous measuring of the
parameters of the quality of the water indicated
below, both in the treated water line as well as in
the line of water for human consumption in the
airport, guaranteeing optimum, reliable results,
low consumption, as well as easy maintenance,
handling, cleaning and the long life of the equipment of which it is made up.
This control required the introduction of several
technological components or operating systems
to acquire, process and manage the data online
with the aim of systematically collecting all the information on the exploitation of this resource and
of channelling all the data to a control centre.
20
This project is aimed at introducing a methodology for automatic and continuous measuring,
analysis and control that serves as the basis for the
correct, efficient handling of this natural resource
through analysis and monitoring instruments.
It thus facilitates the determination of the main
pollutants, the study of these parameters of water quality and complies with new environmental
requirements.
This water quality control is set up by forming a
network of vigilance in a monitored way, in which
an analytical follow-up on the parameters of the
discharge is carried out, which allows the causes,
consequences and repercussions on the environment to be analysed in order to prevent the pollution of the soil and to prevent risks to the water system through polluted discharges. This is
particularly important, due to the highly complex
nature of the characteristics of the effluents generated.
be
em
ec
D
r
r
r
er
be
em
ov
N
ct
ob
O
t
us
be
m
te
Se
p
ly
ne
Ju
Ju
il
M
ay
ug
A
h
pr
A
y
ry
ar
c
M
br
ua
Fe
ar
nu
Ja
mg/l
r
r
be
em
ec
er
r
be
em
ov
D
N
ob
ct
O
t
us
ly
ne
be
em
pt
Se
ug
A
il
ay
Ju
Ju
M
pr
A
y
ch
ar
M
y
ar
ru
Fe
b
ar
nu
Ja
ºC
r
r
be
em
ec
D
er
r
be
em
ov
N
ob
ct
O
t
ly
us
be
em
pt
Se
Ju
ug
A
ay
il
ne
Ju
M
pr
ch
ar
A
M
y
ry
ar
ua
br
nu
Ja
Fe
pH unit
Evolution of the average pH values in 2008
7.8
7.7
7.6
7.5
7.4
7.3
7.2
7.1
7
Evolution of the average values of the water
temperature in 2008
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Evolution of the average values
of oils and greases in 2008
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
21
22
y
us
ug
A
pt
t
em
be
r
O
ct
ob
N
ov er
em
be
D
r
ec
em
be
r
Se
ne
ay
il
Ju
l
Ju
M
pr
A
ua
ry
Fe
br
ua
ry
M
ar
ch
Ja
n
mg/l
il
ly
A
u
Se gus
pt
t
em
be
r
O
ct
ob
N
ov er
em
be
D
r
ec
em
be
r
ne
ay
Ju
Ju
M
pr
A
Ja
nu
ar
Fe
y
br
ua
ry
M
ar
ch
mg/l
r
r
be
em
ec
D
er
r
be
em
ov
N
ob
ct
O
t
us
ly
ne
be
em
ug
A
pt
Se
il
ay
Ju
Ju
M
pr
ch
ar
A
M
y
ry
ar
ua
br
nu
Ja
Fe
mg/l
Environmental factors
Evolution of the average values
of TOC in 2008
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Evolution of the average values
of CL2T in 2008
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
Evolution of the average values
of solids in suspension in 2008
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
us
y
pt
t
em
be
r
O
ct
ob
N
ov er
em
be
D
r
ec
em
be
r
Se
Ju
l
ug
A
ay
ne
Ju
M
il
ch
ry
pr
A
M
ar
ua
Fe
br
ry
ua
Ja
n
mg/l
r
r
be
em
ec
er
r
be
em
ov
D
N
ob
ct
O
t
us
be
m
te
Se
p
ly
Ju
ug
A
ay
il
ch
ne
Ju
M
y
ry
pr
A
ar
M
ua
br
Fe
ar
nu
Ja
m3 per hour
r
r
be
em
ec
D
er
r
be
em
ob
ct
O
ov
N
t
ly
us
be
em
pt
Se
Ju
ug
A
ne
Ju
ay
M
il
ch
ry
pr
A
ar
M
y
ar
ua
br
nu
Ja
Fe
microns/cm
Evolution of the average values
of conductivity in 2008
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
20
Evolution of the average flow values in 2008
15
10
0
5
Evolution of the average value
of nitrates (NO3) in 2008
10
8
6
4
2
0
23
Environmental factors
Waste
Due to new consumer habits, there has been a great increase in
the waste generated which requires the adoption of new models of
treating and managing rubbish so that it is carried out in a way that
is respectful to the environment, dealing with the waste in the best
possible way from the environmental point of view and applying
criteria of eco-efficiency and therefore of sustainability.
A fundamental, determining practice in the management of urbanlike waste is its re-use or minimisation at source as much as possible
as a principal for preventing pollution. This is proposed as the best
environmental practice in management waste as it basically consists
of not generating it, in particular in the case of waste that can have
little or nothing made from it.
To achieve the sustainable management of the waste generated,
the end consumers of any consumable item have an important task
to do in collecting this waste: the effort that is dedicated to its correct separation will pay off in an inestimable environmental benefit
in these initial phases of recovery and recycling of rubbish.
To achieve this objective to increase the percentage of selective
waste collected and to suitably re-use it, a new model of development must be used, in which co-operation with the companies and
concessionaries operating in the airport is considered to be fundamental in order to set up joint lines of action and exchanges of experiences and environmental awareness.
24
Fuerteventura Airport is promoting the suitable
management of waste generated in the airport itself and on the aeroplanes, improving the existing
infrastructures, such as the construction of a new
clean point with a system for controlling access.
It has also carried out an important change in the
procedures for cleaning the apron and external
areas, completing and adapting the waste management service in accordance with the new needs of
the airport.
With the full introduction of this improvement
programme the aim is to consolidate sustainable
management and ideal separation in keeping with
these requirements, through the classification and
treatment of different kinds of waste, such as organic (general rubbish), paper and cardboard,
glass, aluminium, rubble, scrap iron, toners, rubber
(such as tubes and tyres), containers, copper, iron
and steel, garden waste, cables, textile, electrical
material, wood (reels and pallets among others),
etc. and finally to hand them over to Puerto del
Rosario Town Council, to the Cabildo Insular of the
Canary Islands or to an authorised manager, depending on the kind of waste.
25
Environmental factors
The following graph shows the waste generated over recent years:
Management of non-hazardous waste
50,000
kg per million passengers
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
2003
26
2004
2005
2006
2007
Paper and cardboard N-HW
Light containers N-HW
Glass N-HW
Wood and pallets N-HW
Scrap iron N-HW
Garden remains N-HW
Rubble N-HW
Sludge from wastewater
treatment plants N-HW
2008
Management of solid urban waste
kg per million passengers
300,000
270,627.29
250,000
229,364.79
222,137.84
237,084.23
229,986.64
211,316.74
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Selective collection of paper and cardboard
25,000
21,363
20,870
20,000
18,712
16,668
15,000
14,258
13,557
10,000
5,000
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
27
Environmental factors
Air quality control
The environmental surveillance programme on air
quality sets up a system for its follow-up by means
of the installation of an immission cabin that allows a precise diagnosis of the state of the exterior
air quality to be carried out.
The most significant levels of air pollution are collected and evaluated continuously and monitored.
This information allows for a follow-up on the
evolution of the air quality and its correlation
with weather conditions and the airport activities,
taking into account that the meteorological
peculiarities and the geological characteristics of
the environment condition the dispersion of any
emissions generated.
In this way, the negative impacts can be minimised, the necessary preventative and corrective
measures can be adopted to improve the environmental quality in the nearby towns and the environmental regulations laid down can be complied
with.
The aim and the fundamental objective of the
air quality control system are to be able to assess the levels of gases and pollutants generated
during the airport activities. This is done through
28
the immission cabin (measuring point) installed in
the southern area of the airport and close to the
nearby town of El Matorral. It is provided with the
necessary instruments to carry out control and surveillance on the emissions that could damage the
air quality and the health of the inhabitants of the
nearby towns.
With these continuous measurements it will be
possible to interpret the causes to apply the necessary corrective measures and the corresponding air
quality improvement plan.
With regards to the air quality, the greatest values
recorded correspond to SO2, between August and
September, and to NOx in February and March, although they do not reach the level of 15% of the
limit values laid down for these pollutants.
Nevertheless, the values recorded for particles in
suspension are notable, which from May to August
showed their highest levels. This is due to the winds
that come from the African continent, which reach
the island loaded with particles from the clouds
of dust from the desert which are transported by
these winds. These values are also far from reaching the limits laid down by current legislation.
Evolution of the average values of the various pollutants in 2008
8
7
6
ppb
5
4
3
2
1
0
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Average NO2
Average HCM
Average Toluene
Average SO2
August
September
November
October
December
Average Xylene
29
Environmental factors
Noise
Noise caused by the increase of air traffic can influence the
health and well-being of citizens, therefore procedures have
been introduced that minimise the noise generated by the airport activities. For example, a project to extend the runway
1,000 metres towards the south produces a positive effect on
the town of Puerto del Rosario, as in the takeoff operations
the aeroplanes overfly this town at a higher level and further
away than they used to, with the resulting drop in the associated noise level.
On the other hand, in the area to the south west of the airport there could be an increase in the noise level as the source
of the noise is closer to the town during takeoff operations.
Therefore, acoustic protection is needed in the area to reduce
these levels by some decibels. For this purpose, in the town
centre of El Matorral a plant barrier of 1,300 metres in length
and 120 metres wide has been constructed which decreases the
noise impact on the population. This barrier is composed of
plantations of local trees (Canary Island palm trees) as well as
imported trees which have adapted well to the environment
such as Casuarina, Schinus molle and bignonia. These species
create an interesting environment for birds as there are hardly
any natural trees in the area or on the entire island.
30
The plant screen is made up of four strips of vegetation, each of a different species. The first starts
next to the perimeter fence and is made up of the
species Tecomaria capensis (Bignonia), the following strip of vegetation is the species Phoenix
canariensis (Canary Island palm tree); then there
is another strip of the species Schinus molle and
finally there is a strip of trees of the species Casuarina equisetifolia (Casaurina). Next to the perimeter fence four species of ground covering plants
have been planted.
In addition to the acoustic aspect, other advantages offered by the plant screen compared to
other kinds of the barriers have been taken into
account. It also means an increase in the surface
area of plant life in the area, offering a defence
against water and wind erosion of the soil; it improves the landscape integration of the airport
into its environment, offering an attractive visual
appearance to the area and constituting a protection against the dust that is created by the building work on the header of the runway.
The agronomic design of the drip irrigation system guarantees the ability to supply the water
needs of the crops during the period of maximum
consumption with an optimum efficiency of application. It also manages to dampen the volume
of soil sufficiently for its suitable development
and for an effective control of salt. This irrigation
system only moistens the part of the soil where
the plant will be able to obtain the water and
nutrients it needs. This allows water to be saved
and maintains the level of humidity constant and
high in the soil without producing puddles which
would asphyxiate the roots and provoke the development of diseases.
This project for reforestation and environmental
recovery envisages achieving a beautiful landscape in aesthetic terms, in addition to a beautiful
landscape in ecological terms, within a framework
of sustainability.
Currently, the improvement projects to minimise
the acoustic impact during 2009 include the one
that modifies the landing limits by means of moving the threshold of header 19L in order to reduce
the acoustic impact of the airport on the environment, meaning that aeroplanes overfly town centres at a great altitude, thus decreasing the noise
levels in the manoeuvres on this header.
31
Environmental factors
Consumption of natural resources
Promoting the efficient use of natural resources such as water, electricity, fuel, glass,
paper and cardboard, etc. has advantages from an environmental point of view, as
nature has limited resources and an elevated consumption leads to their depletion. In
addition, with regard to energy saving, it decreases the emissions generated into the
atmosphere, prevents pollution and the climate change.
Throughout 2008, and as in previous years, Fuerteventura Airport carried out various
activities to contribute to greater environmental awareness and to promote the rational consumption of resources by all the workers at Fuerteventura Airport as well as
by passengers and companions.
These campaigns are aimed at promoting efficient, responsible use of natural resources that facilitate their recycling and re-use at the end of their useful life to avoid or
decrease the impact on the environment, highlighting the following actions:
Installing posters with suggestions of an environmental nature (saving consumption of energy, water, paper, etc.).
Distribution of stickers (saving water and environmental awareness).
Distribution of the “Environmental management system” leaflet.
Distribution of “The water cycle” leaflets in passenger information display counters
and in the technical block.
Distribution of folders to school parties carrying out visits to the airport, with posters containing advice on how to save water and energy, and a leaflet with the
environmental policy for children and stickers (environmental awareness).
This contributed to reducing consumption in 2008 as can be seen in the following
graphs.
32
Consumption of electrical energy
12,200,000
Kwh
11,800,000
11,400,000
11,000,000
10,600,000
10,200,000
2004
2005
2006
2007
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Consumption of treated water
m3
m3
Drinking water consumption
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
2007
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
litres
litres
2004
2005
2006
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Consumption of fuel by Aena vehicles
in Fuerteventura Airport
Consumption of generators
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
2003
2008
2007
2008
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
2004
2005
Consumption of petrol
2006
2007
2008
Consumption of diesel
33
Environmental factors
Objectives
Sustainable development
Aware of society’s interest in the preservation of the natural habitat and the protection of the biodiversity, every year
Fuerteventura Airport prepares an environmental management
programme which defines the environmental objectives which
also include the most relevant significant environmental factors.
In this way, by improving the infrastructures and the activities
carried out, the aim is to respect and protect the environment
and achieve an improvement in the environmental behaviour;
thus achieving the basic objective: sustainable development.
In the chart below you will find a summary of the environmental
objectives and goals for 2008 in accordance with the airport’s
environmental policy.
These objectives are periodically reviewed in order to guarantee
that they are achieved within the deadlines laid down.
34
OBJECTIVE
GOAL
WASTE
Installation and setting up of a plant shredder to create
compost.
To increase the selective collection of waste at
Fuerteventura Airport by 1% on 2007.
Setting up of a controlled tipping system for waste in
the clean point of Fuerteventura Airport; supplying it
with a worker. Installation of an automatic door and
card reader.
CREATING AWARENESS
Improving environmental awareness at Fuerteventura
Airport.
Distribution of leaflets on the water cycle at
Fuerteventura Airport and on the EMS in passenger
information display counters and in the technical block.
To put leaflets, presentations and environmental
awareness posters on the airport’s intranet.
CONSUMPTION
To promote energy saving at Fuerteventura Airport.
Installation of two photovoltaic solar powered lights in
the airport's hazardous waste (HW) store room.
To decrease the supply of drinking water from the mains
supply by 80%.
Construction and setting up of a desalination plant for
seawater.
VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE
To increase the green and landscaped surface area of
Fuerteventura Airport.
Construction of a plant barrier in the northern area of
Fuerteventura Airport
35
Environmental factors
Creating environmental awareness
For 10 years, Fuerteventura Airport has had a programme for
school trips aimed at all infant and primary school children on
the island. Initially, this initiative was conceived as a formula to
show the new approach to our idea of development and our
commitment to preserve the natural resources.
All the schools on Fuerteventura participated in this programme
of activities, in other words 48 schools with more than 1,500
schoolchildren, who carried out different activities such as a visit
to the most relevant environmental installations, like the clean
point and the hazardous waste store room, the plant barrier, the
falconry, etc.
In this framework of bringing the airport management closer
to the community, the dissemination of environmental material
is produced as an instrument to promote and with the aim of
contributing towards informing and creating awareness in the
young population of the island about the necessity to preserve
our natural heritage as a future social well-being.
In this social dialogue, the project of school activities is conceived as a way of complementing environmental communication and of collaborating in the education of the schoolchildren
of Fuerteventura by means of chats and educational workshops
dealing with environmental matters.
36
Biodiversity
Due to their insular condition, the Canary Islands
are home to unique species as a result of evolution
in reduced spaces. This logically means that there
is an abundance of endemisms throughout the
Archipelago. There is great biological and genetic
wealth which is still not yet sufficiently researched
(for example, certain groups of microorganisms)
therefore it is not possible to reliably determine
the degree or percentage of endemicity of the flora
and fauna of the Canary Islands. These ecosystems
are fragile and the species they house are particularly vulnerable to the entrance of exotic species.
The land of Fuerteventura has a great variety of life
forms. Despite the fact that it is a desert, like the
neighbouring Sahara, it is in fact one of the areas
with greatest biodiversity in Europe. It is a genuine
ecological laboratory with species of flora that are
endemic, of a shrub-like and herbaceous nature,
from the tertiary era, which are no longer found in
the rest of the world and are a clear exponent of
subtropical habitats. All these species are of great
botanical interest and require the maintenance of
natural feasible populations due to the important
scientific interest they have, the amount of information on the evolution process they contain and
the ability to adapt that they possess.
Fuerteventura Airport and its surrounding area are
found in a part of the island that is somewhat degraded. Inside the airport site there are few plants
species of interest, mainly Canary Island tamarisks,
nor are there any stable species of ornithological
interest. However, and with the aim of minimising
the effect of the local fauna and specifically the
birds, procedures have been set up to preserve the
natural environment in which the airport activities are carried out, minimising the effect on the
ecosystem and applying the necessary corrective
measures to restore it. Therefore circulation in the
areas which could affect the plant formations or
the water system is restricted, preventing the unnecessary destruction of these plant formations
as a result of the improvements to the infrastructures or services. In short, to foster the preservation of the natural open spaces or, if relevant, to
guarantee the favourable re-establishing of the
initial conditions of preservation.
37
Environmental factors
Flora
At present the plant life on the island is not very
perceptible; the Canary Island palm tree and the
Canary Island tamarisk are almost the only autochthonous trees on the island. Most of the endemic
species are resistant plants that are found in inaccessible areas in the south of Fuerteventura, and
also in the so-called “badlands” (recent lava fields),
such as the Roccella sp., communities of lichen that
in the past were used to prepare dyes and that live
attached to rocks like a crust, forming immense
carpets of coloured stony areas.
This plant life, with its great environmental beauty
and ecological richness, has adapted to support the
hard conditions of a dry ecosystem, with blazing
sunlight and low rainfall, as well as the proximity to
the sea (high salinity and elevated humidity). These
microclimate factors have given rise to a process of
extreme specificity in which they have managed
to make the most of this desert-like habitat. Some
plants are so rare that they are only found here.
38
The most emblematic plant species on Fuerteventura is without a doubt the plant known locally as
“cardón de jandía”, (Euphorbia handiensis), which
was declared the plant symbol of Fuerteventura
by the Parliament of the Canary Islands by means
of the Law 7/1991, of 30th of April, on symbols of
nature for the Canary Islands. This endemic species
which is bush-like and similar to a small cactus has
been traditionally overexploited for ornamental
use and for garden use. This plant which usually
grows on lava flows and rock hillsides serves as a
refuge with its thorns to other plants that are unable to protect themselves from the browsing of
livestock.
In the past, the presence of livestock, mainly goats
and other herbivores such as donkeys or camels,
had a determining influence on getting rid of
primitive plant cover. But it is not the only cause, as
the lime industry also contributed towards this as
in the past it required a large supply of wood from
the trees to burn in its large kilns.
The current decline in stock breeding and particularly grazing is favouring the recovery of vegetable and plant formations on the island.
A large part of the surface area of Fuerteventura
Airport is characterised by a dry plain in which there
are different herbaceous plants, gorse scrubland
and scattered small bushes. For the most part, this
scrubland constitutes a community that replaced
the “cardonal-tabaibal” which has disappeared.
The area looks like an arid steppe and a significant
part of the flowering species in the area are therophytes (annuals). The plant richness is much more
obvious after the autumn and winter rains.
These gorses, along with the hawthorns, “matamoros”, “cardones” and “tabaibas” make up the
typical landscape of Fuerteventura.
The airport is located between the gully of the River Cabras to the north and the Muley gully to the
south. The primordial uniqueness is the presence
of large specimens of Canary Island tamarisk (Tamarix canariensis) in Muley gully. In both estuaries
there are plant communities that are typical of
wetlands which are characterised by species that
are not very demanding with regards to their
substratum meaning that they can appear on rocks
as well as on sand. These include the Zygophyllum
fontanesii and species of the Frankenia genus.
There are also species that are more selective with
regard to the condition of the substratum, therefore in sandy soil we find Ononis esperia, Polycarpaea nívea, Atriplex halimus, Atriplex glauca and
Salsola divaricata.
Worthy of special attention are the formations of
salt marshes in this area which develop in depressions in the earth behind the beach line and are
characterised by being regularly flooded with seawater. Few species tolerate these conditions and
some of them are so adapted to them that they
are unable to live in any other part, making them
of botanical interest. Among the species present,
the main one is Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. In
the salt marshes near the airport there are Suaeda
vera, Zygophyllum fontanesii and species of the
Frankenia genus.
39
Environmental factors
Fauna
As far as wildlife is concerned, Fuerteventura has
a rich variety of birds. The bird that nests in greatest number is the Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris
diomedea) which uses the caves in the badlands
to nest, which have their origin in bubbles of gas
running through the incandescent lava during volcanic eruptions. In the interior of the island there
are plenty of shrikes, flightless birds, stone curlews,
hoopoes, stonechats, lesser short-toed larks and
blue tits and the ever active kestrel and the hawk.
The Egyptian vulture is worthy of a special mention,
an authentic ornithological gem of Fuerteventura.
Species that are particularly rare can also be discovered; here we find the last specimens of the
Canarian Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata
fuerteventurae), which are difficult to see because
of their strange mimicry of the terrain. In danger of
extinction, they were declared a symbol of nature
of Fuerteventura by the Parliament of the Canary
Islands.
The natural population of an African duck, the
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) has been
a surprise present since the beginning of the last
decade. This Anatidae breeds in the few wetlands
there are to the south of the island.
The coasts of Fuerteventura serve as a refuge for
the numerous birds in the migratory period during their seasonal flights, such as the egret, ringed
plover, crab plover, etc.
All this diversity of forms of life has generated
considerable increase in ornithological tourism in
40
recent years. This study of birds in their natural
habitat is considered fascinating by foreign tourists (mainly from Britain) and recently also by Spaniards. A new sector that represents a great tourist
potential made up of thousands of fans who explore the environmental wealth of Fuerteventura
and open up a new interrelationship between natural habitat and sustainable holiday tourism.
The area of greatest interest for the birds closest to
the airport is the gully of the River Cabras whose
estuary is near the northern part of the airport site.
This place has been included in the national inventory of important bird areas (IBA). It is a place that
is relevant for a species endemic to Fuerteventura,
the Fuerteventura stonechat (Saxicola dacotiae). It
also has other birds such as the Egyptian vulture
(Neophron percnopterus majorensis), the common
buzzard (Buteo buteo insularum) and the common
kestrel (Falco tinnunculus dacotiae). Wildlife associated to the coastal environment includes the curlew, ruddy turnstone, calidrid, sandpiper and the
ever present seagull.
The plant life is one of the main factors that conditions the structure and composition of the bird
community linked to Fuerteventura Airport. The
sparse scrubland and the scant plant cover in the
area, accompanied by a number of herbaceous
species mainly found on the flat land are home
to steppe birds. The plantations of Casuarinas and
palm trees in the airport create an artificial environment but one that is of great interest to birds,
as there are hardly any natural tree features in the
proximity, or even anywhere else on the island.
The present situation of the birds in Fuerteventura
Airport, with regard to diversity and abundance,
shows a relative abundance in which mainly nonPasseriformes are particularly highlighted, as of
the 51 species that make up the birdlife, 34 belong
to this group, counting the Passeriformes with 17
taxons. The family that has the greatest number of
species, far more so than the others, is the Scolopacidae, of which there are nine, followed by the
Charadriidae of which there are five. We should
highlight the fact that they both correspond to the
Limicola genus, which are mostly migratory birds,
which frequent coastal and freshwater habitats existing in the area around the airport, mainly on its
coastal strip. The next most important family corresponds to the group of the Passeriformes, Sylviidae, of which there are four species.
The most plentiful species in the airport area is the
lesser short-toed lark followed by the house sparrow and the yellow-legged gull (Larus cachinnans),
the Berthelot’s pipit, the trumpeter finch and the
rock pigeon.
There are a limited number of little egrets, stone
curlews, lesser black-backed gulls, black-headed
gulls, house martins, black redstarts, ravens and
goldfinches.
Protected species include the Egyptian vulture,
cream-colored courser, little ringed plover, snowy
plover, “ortega”, barn owl, hoopoe, Fuerteventura
stonechat and raven.
41
Environmental factors
The location of Fuerteventura Airport, very close
to the coast, means that the nearby presence of
coastal water birds such as seagulls and of different Limicolas is frequent, which constitutes a clear
danger for air safety. The potentially most dangerous species for air traffic is, without a doubt, the
yellow-legged gull, which is constantly present in
the airport area and has undergone a spectacular
growth of its populations in Fuerteventura. Despite the fact that this large seagull does not have
breeding areas close to the airport, its tendency to
be gregarious and its dispersive movements mean
that medium to large sized groups congregate in
certain areas along the coast and the interior of
the island, sometimes close to the airport, which
means that this is the most dangerous species for
air navigation.
After the yellow-legged gull, the rock pigeon (Columba livia) is the second most important bird in
terms of number. This importance is basically due
to the proliferation of pigeon lofts in the town centres close to the airport. The problem with regards
to air traffic can become accentuated through the
forming of groups close to the runway.
The raven (Corvus corax) appears in the airport
sporadically, as it is a bird of considerable size that
usually forms groups. It can be considered to be
potentially dangerous for air navigation. On the
other hand, its marked tendency to patrol humanised areas (landfill sites, town centres, stockbreeding farms, roads, etc.) in search of food means
42
that the risk of collision with aeroplanes increases,
especially if they form flocks of some size.
With regard to the rest of the terrestrial vertebrates
found in the airport and its surrounding area, we
should first mention two very common reptiles
that are widely distributed across the island, the
Canary wall gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis) and
the Atlantic lizard (Gallotia atlántica), although
the existence of another species is also known, the
Chalcides simonyi, a species of skink. The mammals found in the airport area are the European
hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), the European rabbit
(Oryctolagus cuniculus), the Barbary ground squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus) and the Canarian shrew
(Crocidura canariensis).
Wildlife control
Fuerteventura has the greatest number of nesting
birds in the Canary Islands, many of which are endemic. These birds enjoy a large natural open area,
Lobos Islet, to the north of the island, where various threatened species also find refuge. This islet is
a genuine natural gem for migratory birds during
the crossing to their winter homes in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Fuerteventura Airport is on their migratory
path; this means that the application of measures
or procedures to guarantee correct respect of the
wildlife heritage of Fuerteventura is particularly
important, without undermining the safety of the
airport operations.
The bird control programme using falcons is a suitable preventative method. These birds of prey used
in the airport are provided with their corresponding
updated official register and certificate of origin.
The main, ongoing function of the wildlife control
service is to prevent the presence of birds, whether
static or flying through, in areas where they could
represent a risk. They also take care of the tasks of
observation, control and prevention and must act
when required for needs derived from safety. The
flight of these birds of prey is best carried out during the first and last hours of natural daylight, which
are the hours of greatest activity for these birds.
of factors of competition between various species,
by the resources present in the environment and
because they inhabit a given biotope. In addition,
the consequences derived from it, do not necessarily present objective evidence, but obey evolutionary processes. The only case of clear competition
once the process of introducing this project was
overcome is that of the falcon and the raven. These
two species are natural enemies, although the
truth is that in a natural environment both species
tolerate each other and can coexist together. However, the activity carried out by the birds of prey
in Fuerteventura Airport, as they are controlled at
all times, does not involve any risk of competition
with other species of the local wildlife; and, in the
bird census carried out, the presence of these corvine birds is very scarce and sporadic.
The probable competition between falcons and
Egyptian vultures fundamentally obeys, in the
same way as with the raven, competition for places
to nest. This refers to falcons in their natural habitat, logically it is not the case of birds that spend
most of the day in cages.
Preventing the falcons used by the wildlife control service from affecting local populations, particularly in the breeding season, is considered fundamental so as not to interfere with these bird
populations. Although the process that decides the
interspecific competition is complex to be interpreted and not without difficulties in being measured, this phenomenon is determined by a series
43
Aspectos ambientales
Environmental
factors
Environmental Impact Declaration
The decision of 6th of May 2002, of the General Secretariat of
the Environment, which formulates the environmental impact
declaration on the project “Extension of Fuerteventura Airport
(Las Palmas)” of Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea
(Aena), states the need to clarify, in a summary document, the
environmental feasibility of the actions proposed, of the corrective measures and the surveillance programme both in the
execution phase for the projected activity as well as in its operational phase.
Actions on the subsystem of aeroplane movement:
Extension of the flight runway by 1,000 metres towards the
south.
Movement of threshold 19 by 1,000 metres to the south in
order to decrease the noise impact on the city of Puerto del
Rosario and its surrounding area.
Lengthening of the taxiing lane by 1,000 metres towards the
south and construction of a waiting area to serve header 01.
Lengthening the taxiing lane system, by means of the construction of fast exit lanes, orthogonal to the runway.
Extension of the area of the apron for aeroplanes: extension
and joining the two currently existing aprons.
Construction of a new parking apron destined to general
aviation and freight, and located to the south of the previous apron.
Communication between the apron and the flight fields by
means of a taxiing lane perpendicular to the runway.
44
Actions on the subsystem of airport activities:
Passenger area:
Extension of the south terminal, by extending
the processing building towards the north, and
the lengthening of the dike to allow a considerable increase in the number of walkways.
Extension and remodelling of the area destined
for the parking of vehicles and coaches.
Creation of a new parking area for diverse uses:
taxi rank, car rental, employees, etc.
Urbanisation land destined to second and third
line activities: offices, hotel, auxiliary buildings,
agents, etc.
Services area:
Construction of a new control tower with its
corresponding parking, to the south of the extended terminal building.
A new services building and technical block,
next to the new control tower.
Freight area
A new freight area will be developed, to the
south of the subsystem of airport activities,
where a new terminal building and car park
will be constructed.
General aviation area:
A general aviation area will be developed, to
the south of the subsystem of airport activities,
where a general aviation building, car parks,
hangars and a line of workshops will be constructed.
Industrial and services area:
In the northern part of the subsystem of airport
activities an industrial and services area will be
developed, destined to building workshops,
store rooms, service station, handling agents,
building for catering, depots, offices and the
services and care and maintenance of aeroplane buildings.
Energy supply area:
Construction of a new power station.
Extension of the water treatment installations,
particularly the desalination plant and drinking
water deposits.
Miscellaneous:
Demolition of a current area of the airport to
allow for the extension of the apron. The most
important buildings and facilities to be demolished are the old terminal building (north),
control tower and technical block, meteorological station, car parks, fuel plot and Iberia
freight terminal.
45
Environmental factors
Modification of the design of the current access
and creation of new accesses at the level of the
town centre of El Matorral mainly to provide
service to the freight and general aviation areas.
Other less important actions which are associated, complimentary or necessary for the construction, setting up and operations of the work
indicated in annex II, which must observe the
same demands established in the conditions of
this Environmental Impact Declaration.
Summary of the environmental impact study
The study includes a description of the project
which summarises the characteristics of the main
actions, as well as a justification of the need for
the extension and an analysis of alternatives and
justification of the solution adopted.
In the environmental inventory the different aspects of the environment are analysed: climate, air
quality, geology, hydrology, the maritime media,
plant life, wildlife, protected open spaces, landscape, archaeology and socio-economic factors. The
area of the study affects the protection service area
defined by article 23 of the Law on Coasts; in the
same way, the study shows the existence of an area
for birds (IBA) situated in the gully of the River Cabras; although it is not affected by the extension of
the pre-operational situation, the study of the impact is carried out taking into account, on the suggestion made by the General Directorate of Historic
Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands,
the localisation of the archaeological, ethnographic
46
and paleontological sites existing in the area of the
study, showing that they will not be affected by the
project.
The identification of impacts is made with the help
of a matrix showing cause and effect relationships,
which establishes the interrelations between the
actions of the project and the selected environmental parameters, showing those in which the determined action of the project provokes a negative or
positive effect on any given environmental factor.
Most of the impacts in the construction phase are
valued as compatible or moderate, although some
actions on the hydrology, plant life, landscape, historic-artistic heritage and planning are considered
to be severe.
During the operations phase most of the envisaged impacts are valued as compatible or moderate, except the occupation of the land with regard
to the landscape, which is considered severe. In the
same way, both in the construction phase as well
as in the operations phase, the carrying out of the
project presents positive impacts with regards to
the population, economic development, the social
acceptance, productivity and infrastructures and
facilities.
In the impact study a series of protective, corrective
and compensatory measures are indicated, highlighting those aimed at compensating the impact
on the plant formation known as “saladar”.
Finally, the study includes a matrix of residual impacts, as well as a surveillance plan and a synthesis
document.
Conclusions
This report essentially expresses the desire of Fuerteventura Airport to guarantee the preservation of the environment
in the perspective of managing to make the development of
airport activities compatible and the search for efficacy as a
public service with the environmental requirements, in addition to fostering respect for the environment, which shows a
significant advance in environmental quality and sustainable
development.
Care of the environment is a global problem both with regard
to its causes as well as its effects, therefore the information on
the magnitude of possible environmental impacts on the environment is essential when taking decisions and requires, from
a sustainable point of view, a multi-disciplinary methodology
for action.
From knowledge of the environmental and social reality we
will be able to face the adaptation to new environmental situations. This capacity for transformation, depending on each
case, also reinforces the quality of service contributing to satisfy the needs and expectations of the customers and the adopting of criteria of operational excellence.
Of the conclusions from this piece of work, it should be stated that Fuerteventura Airport has made a significant effort
to adopt preventative measures, not forgetting the inclusion
of responsible strategies in the objectives established, applying
suitable environmental solutions in all the infrastructures and
services of the airport during the development of our work
and the results obtained are being incorporated into future
projects so that they can develop in accordance with environmental policy. This good decision was made by all the people
at Fuerteventura Airport.
Finally, to inform the readers of this environmental report that,
as a dynamic mechanism for interaction, they may send any suggestion to the following e-mail address: fueinfo@aena.es.
47
Fuerteventura Airport
2008 Environmental Management Report
Aeropuerto
de Fuerteventura