Air quality is an important issue at all levels. In Eastleigh, Hampshire, an Air Quality Management Area was declared covering Leigh Road, Romsey Road, Southampton Road and Wide Lane in 2005. This aims to reduce air quality impacts in the area. Eastleigh Borough Council considers these air quality impacts to be caused primarily by non-airport-related road vehicles due to the proximity of the M27 and M3 road networks, and commuter and commercial traffic movements associated with local industry in Eastleigh.

The air pollutants of concern to local communities are predominantly nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10). These pollutants are produced largely as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels and are emitted by a number of sources, including road vehicles, and additionally at the airport by aircraft and support equipment.  However, the airport’s contribution to the local air quality in the Air Quality Management Area is very small, according to results from a recent study, which is explained below.

The objectives in our air quality strategy are based upon the findings of a study completed by environmental consultants, ENTEC, who investigated the airport’s impact on local air quality. The study found that the airport’s contribution to the local air quality pollutants in the Air Quality Management Area equated to only 1.64% for PM10 and 0.54% for NO2. 

We published our air quality strategy in 2006, which sets objectives for managing air quality impacts to 2011. The strategy makes a clear distinction between climate change and local air quality due to the nature of the way in which these impacts are felt and how BAA manages the two impacts. 

Along with BAA’s wider activities on climate change, we have specific targets and objectives in relation to our environmental footprint. These objectives aim at managing energy use (both gas and electricity), and therefore the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is emitted. 

Only 5.55% of NOx emissions are attributable to airport activities. The majority of pollutants in the local area come from non-airport related road traffic.

The study highlighted that the airport’s small contribution to NOx could be attributed to road vehicles associated with the airport. As a result, we are focusing on the management of road vehicle impacts through our Surface Access Strategy. Additionally, there are objectives relating to ground support equipment, and aircraft ground operations.