Determination of sustainability indices for airports and a case study on these indices

In this study, it is aimed to develop an evaluation method that uses the best indices and indicators for the evaluation of airport sustainability. The field of study consists of large airport operators providing services on an international scale. Quantitative research method was used in the study, and the data obtained from the expert group study was analyzed using the best-worst method. Afterwards, the sustainability evaluation method obtained was applied to 6 large airports with the Case Study method. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained, the sustainability assessment of the airports in question was made. Within the scope of the study, 18 sustainability indicators and 42 metrics that enable the measurement of these indices were obtained under the main headings of Environment, Social and Economy indices. It is seen that the weight of environmental issues in airport sustainability evaluation is much greater than economic and social issues, and the effects of economic and social issues are less, respectively. Among the indicators, Emissions and Air Pollution, which are included under the Environment index, have the most weight. While Direct Economic Contributions are in the second place among the Economy indices, Energy Management, Water Use, Noise Management and Waste Management are followed by other environmental indicators. Social Indicators have very low weights, the highest of which are Corporate Governance and Business Ethics. The case study results gave the sustainability performance and rankings of the airports for each of the economic, social, environmental and total sustainability indices of 6 airports in 2021 and 2022. In addition, it was possible to examine the comparative sustainability performances in 3 indices and in total for each airport between 2021 and 2022.