Saudi Arabia’s Dammam Airports Company is taking a structured approach to carbon management across its network. King Fahd International Airport has reached Level 2 of Airport Carbon Accreditation, while Al Ahsa International Airport and Al Qaisumah Airport have joined at Level 1.
In this interview, Mohammed AlHassany, CEO at Dammam Airports, explains why the company joined the programme, what it learned from building a verified carbon footprint, and how this work is shaping decarbonisation efforts across its airports.
What motivated Dammam Airports to join the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, and what does this achievement represent for your organisation?
Our motivation stems from a strategic commitment to align our operations with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI). As a key player in the Kingdom’s aviation sector, we recognise that our growth must be sustainable. Joining the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme provides us with a globally recognised, data-driven framework to verify our progress.
Attaining Level 2 for King Fahd International Airport and Level 1 for Al Ahsa and Al Qaisumah is a defining moment for Dammam Airports. It represents the transformation of our environmental ambitions into measurable results. For our organisation, this achievement validates our ‘portfolio approach’ to sustainability, ensuring that even our regional airports are part of Saudi Arabia’s journey toward Net Zero by 2060.
What lessons have you learned so far at King Fahd International Airport, and how will these support Al Ahsa and Al Qaisumah airports as they begin their own carbon management journey?
Since we started identifying emissions sources within the operational boundary of Dammam Airports, we realised that sustainability is a team effort. The annual third-party verification was pivotal, guaranteeing transparency and offering the insights needed to refine our operations.
These lessons, specifically the importance of robust data governance and early stakeholder engagement, now form the foundation of the support model we provide to Al Qaisumah and Al Ahsa. By centralising our expertise and leveraging the ‘blend of cooperative assistance’ we experienced, we are accelerating the progress of our regional airports with confidence and consistency.
What are the main challenges you face in decarbonising airport operations in your region, and how are you addressing them?
The primary challenge in our region is the extreme climate, which necessitates high energy consumption for cooling. Decarbonising HVAC systems while maintaining passenger comfort is a complex balancing act.
We are addressing this through two main pillars: Efficiency and Innovation. At King Fahd International Airport, we have overhauled our preventive maintenance programs to minimise refrigerant leakage and optimise our chiller plants. Secondly, we are leveraging nature-based solutions. ‘Our Green Airport’ initiative, the first of its kind in the Middle East, has already seen over 100,000 trees planted. This not only aids carbon sequestration but also helps mitigate the ‘heat island’ effect around airport infrastructure, ultimately reducing the cooling load on our facilities.
How do you plan to strengthen partnerships with airlines and stakeholders to support the reduction of Scope 3 emissions as you look towards the higher levels of the programme?
Sustainability is built on collaboration. To reach Level 3 and beyond, we are committed to co creating initiatives with our partners. We have already established a Seamless Operation Rhythm, a coordinated approach to managing airport operations in real time that brings together key stakeholders, including airlines, ground handlers and air navigation service providers, to align objectives and improve performance across the airport ecosystem.
Our net zero roadmap includes expanding our pilot use of hydrogen-powered ground handling equipment. We are also exploring the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and working with tenants to increase the use of electric vehicles. By sharing data insights and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, we are ensuring that every stakeholder in the Dammam Airports ecosystem is a partner in our net zero journey.
What advice would you give to other airports considering joining Airport Carbon Accreditation or strengthening their carbon management efforts?
My advice is to integrate sustainability into the earliest design and planning phases. By establishing a strong carbon footprint framework early on, you enhance decision-making in every operational activity. We also highly recommend certifying under ISO 14001:2015 for your Environmental Management System; it provides the structured approach needed to manage environmental aspects consistently.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of passionate human capital. Cultivating a culture of responsibility across your teams, from maintenance contractors to senior board members, is what turns a decarbonisation roadmap into reality. Start with mapping, trust the verification process, and use the insights to drive both environmental and operational excellence.
