Vitória and Macaé Airports achieve Level 4, advancing climate action in line with Paris Agreement

April 22, 2025

Vitória International Airport and Macaé Airport have taken a significant step forward in their climate journey by upgrading to Level 4 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Operated by Zurich Airport Brazil, both airports are now aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with a shared target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

This milestone builds on the recent success of Florianópolis International Airport, also operated by Zurich Airport Brazil, which earlier this year became the first in the country to achieve this level of accreditation. These latest upgrades reaffirm the operator’s strong commitment to decarbonisation and to integrating sustainability throughout its airport network.

Vitória International Airport has already achieved notable emissions reductions, cutting its carbon footprint from 170 tonnes in 2023 to 158 tonnes in 2024. By targeting emissions across all aspects of airport operations—from employee commuting and supplier sustainability to aircraft ground emissions—the airport is delivering real impact. One of its standout initiatives, the 400 Hertz and PCA system, delivers clean energy to parked aircraft and has already prevented more than 3,700 tonnes of greenhouse gases since March 2024.

Meanwhile, Macaé Airport earned its Level 4 recognition through close collaboration with stakeholders, with efforts that include electrifying its vehicle fleet as part of a wider push to decarbonise its operations.

Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brazil said: “This recognition for Vitória Airport and Macaé Airport is a source of pride, as it demonstrates the progress made as a result of our genuine commitment to sustainability. This achievement, together with Floripa Airport’s recent level 4 certification, reinforces our efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of the aviation industry.”

Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI Latin America & the Caribbean commented: “The recent certification of Floripa Airport, along with those of Vitória Airport and Macaé Airport, at Level 4 of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, reinforces the strong commitment of our member and the Brazilian airport sector to sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of aviation. This international recognition demonstrates that Brazil is moving consistently towards excellence in carbon management at its airports, actively contributing to a more responsible and sustainable aviation in Latin America.”