Hong Kong, 15 November 2024 - Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT), a subsidiary of SATS Ltd, has been honored with the prestigious Air Cargo Sustainability Award 2024 in the Corporate category by The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) for its exceptional efforts in sustainability, notably through their pioneering Autonomous Electric Tractors (AET) project. The award underscores their dedication to fostering innovation, enhancing efficiency, and promoting environmental stewardship within the air cargo sector.
Steven Polmans, Chair of TIACA, expressed his contentment with the air cargo community's efforts towards sustainability, stating, "We are delighted with the innovative submissions received this year, reflecting our industry's commitment to finding sustainable solutions. The esteemed jury, consisting of industry leaders and sustainability experts, assessed entries based on societal and industry impact, implementation feasibility, innovation, and the wow factor, eventually honoring AAT for their exceptional sustainability initiatives. Congratulations are extended to the AAT team for their remarkable achievement.”
Mike Chew, CEO of AAT, expressed his pride in the company's sustainability achievements, stating, "AAT remains committed to staying at the forefront of sustainability by embracing emerging trends and innovations. We are dedicated to continuously improving our operations, reducing environmental impact, and setting industry benchmarks for sustainable practices. I extend my sincere gratitude to TIACA for this prestigious award and to our devoted team for their hard work in championing sustainability."
The award-winning AET initiative marks a significant milestone for AAT as the first cargo terminal operator in Hong Kong to deploy cutting-edge autonomous electric tractors, revolutionizing cargo handling operations and setting new benchmarks for sustainability in the region.
Beyond the AET initiative, AAT has continuously integrated sustainable practices across its operations. This includes switching to electric working vehicles, installing charging stations, upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting, and adopting sustainable features in their facilities such as the AAT COOLPORT cold chain facility, resulting in a notable reduction in carbon emissions by over 30% from a 2018 baseline. Moreover, by signing the HKIA 2050 Net Zero Carbon pledge and participating in the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA), AAT reaffirms its long-term commitment to sustainability and strengthens its position as a leader in advocating for greener practices within the air cargo industry.
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Mr. Kuah Boon Kiam, Director of AAT and Senior Vice President of Cargo Services at SATS, accepted the prestigious award at the Air Cargo Forum 2024 in Miami on 13 November 2024
(From left to right) Mr. Steven Polmans (Chair, TIACA), Mr. Glyn Hughes (Director General, TIACA), Mr. Kuah Boon Kiam (Director, AAT and SVP – Cargo Service, SATS), Mr. Chris McDermott (CEO, CHAMP Cargosystems)
ABOUT ASIA AIRFREIGHT TERMINAL (AAT)
Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of SATS Ltd and affiliate of Eastern Option Ltd, is an air cargo terminal based at Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s largest international air cargo hub. Operating on a franchise awarded by the Airport Authority Hong Kong since 1998, AAT serves the world's leading airlines, offering a comprehensive range of services from physical cargo handling to documentation processing, to the highest standards of quality, safety and security. To ensure our customers experience the highest levels of service from AAT, our people are skilled cargo professionals committed to operational excellence, harnessing technology and innovation to achieve cost competitiveness and efficiency.
AAT also features state-of-the-art facilities such as the environmentally sustainable AAT COOLPORT facility <Press Release> that is fully certified with IATA CEIV Pharma, IATA CEIV Fresh, and WHO GDP Pharma accreditations. For more information, please visit http://www.aat.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn.
ABOUT SATS
SATS Ltd. (SATS) is a global air cargo and ground handler empowering end-to-end network solutions, and a leading Asian aviation food solutions provider delivering quality at scale and being the preferred brand in food solutions with authentic taste and nutrition. Using innovative food technologies and resilient supply chains, we create tasty, quality food in sustainable ways for airlines, food service chains, retailers, and institutions. With heartfelt service and advanced technology, we connect people, businesses, and communities seamlessly through our comprehensive gateway services for our customers. Fulfilling our purpose to feed and connect communities, SATS delights customers in over 215 locations and 27 countries across the Asia Pacific, UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. SATS has been listed on the Singapore Exchange since May 2000. For more information, please visit www.sats.com.sg.
MEDIA CONTACT
Asia Airfreight Terminal
Becky Woo
Marketing Communications
Phone: +852 2949 7738
Email: commercial@aat.com.hk
SATS
Cynthia Yen-Sullivan
AVP, Corporate Communications
Email: Cynthia_yensullivan@sats.com.sg