Biodiversity Conservation

To mitigate the environmental impacts of airport construction, we launched our Biodiversity Action Plan in 2015. In line with the four-tier conservation hierarchy; “avoidance, minimization, restoration, and offsetting”, we carry out habitat and species conservation and monitoring activities.

Key initiatives under this plan include:

• In cooperation with the General Directorate of Forestry, we implemented the “5,000 Hectares of Afforestation in 5 Years Project,”
• Tortoises found within the airport area were collected and relocated to suitable habitats,
• Rare bulbous plant species were carefully removed and transferred outside the project area,
• Seeds of endemic plant species were collected and sent to a seed gene bank,
• Bird populations were monitored and impact mitigation measures were implemented,
• Mammal species were monitored and impact mitigation measures were carried out,
• Through the Beekeeping Rehabilitation Project, we supported bees—one of the most important pollinators—and thereby contributed to the continuity of ecosystem services,
• Monitoring and conservation of critical habitats were carried out in collaboration with academics and relevant stakeholders.

We continue to implement these measures during the airport’s operational phase, ensuring that biodiversity conservation remains an integral part of our long-term environmental management.