Sustainability And the Aviation Industry

David Deveau is a seasoned risk, health, safety, and sustainability executive with almost three decades of private and public sector leadership experience. He has developed expertise in numerous areas including safety management systems, occupational health and safety programs, enterprise risk management, and ESG (environment, social, governance). Recognized for energy, innovation, and constantly raising the bar, David currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Safety and Sustainability at The Inland Group of Companies, a premium aviation services provider.

Please share with our readers your career journey and current roles and responsibilities.

I began my career in the aviation industry within the regional and commercial airline sector in Canada. Over the years, my role has evolved, encompassing various responsibilities ranging from quality assurance to environmental affairs to safety. For the past six years, I have been working in the aviation ground operations and environmental services sector. Our organization has multiple business lines, including aircraft deicing, aircraft handling, passenger handling, cargo handling, mail handling, airport environmental services, and manufacturing. Currently, I am privileged to serve as the executive providing corporate leadership in environment, health, and safety, as well as sustainability and ESG.

Can you share some of the challenges you notice in the industry?

In the past few years, due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry faced unprecedented challenges, including the obvious drop in passenger travel. Another impact felt in commercial aviation as well as most sectors was acquiring and maintaining adequate staffing. Fortunately, our organization successfully navigated through these and other challenges, emerging even stronger. Currently, there are a couple other significant challenges we are facing. First, there is the ongoing global challenge of organizations aligning with international sustainability goals, including those specifically associated with our industry. Aviation plays a crucial role in reducing humanity’s carbon footprint, and as service providers within this sector, we are committed to contributing to global sustainability and meeting our customer’s expectations. It is essential for all partners in the aerospace sector to collaborate to establish and achieve realistic sustainability goals, given the interconnected nature of service providers and operators. Second, like many industries, ensuring a stable supply of quality employees with complex demographics changes in progress remains a priority for us. Operating in high-risk environments like airports necessitates maintaining the highest safety and operational performance standards. This underscores the importance of focusing on people and cultivating a high-quality, well-trained workforce. 

In addition to this, there are ongoing expectations to meet customer expectations regarding operational performance. While this is not a new challenge, it remains a constant focus for us.

What are some of the trends you noticed in the industry to overcome these challenges?

On the sustainability front, there is a considerable amount of activity taking place with zero emissions and alternative fuels. The electrification of ground fleets is also constantly evolving. Some of the challenges accompanying this shift include the need for adequate local airport electricity grid capacity and accessibility of equipment such as vehicle charging stations. This is all necessary to accommodate the increasing demands of electrified fleets, and is a significant consideration for airports, municipalities, airport operators, and related entities, prompting concerted efforts to plan and adapt infrastructure to keep pace with technological change. Collaboration is key in this scenario, and there is a growing need for coordination among airports, airlines, and service providers to address these challenges effectively. I am happy to see that this collaboration is, indeed, taking place as partners work together to reach common goals.

Is there any project initiative you have been part of lately?

One of our organization’s most innovative business lines directly related to sustainability is the recycling of waste fluid generated from the deicing process and other airport-related activities. In this case, our commitment to sustainability, which directly benefits our airport and airline customers, involves leveraging proprietary technology and processes to recycle glycol in a highly efficient manner. This approach offers a notable net carbon advantage compared to the use of virgin manufactured glycol. In the aviation sector, our role as a service provider in this regard exemplifies how innovative solutions contribute to the industry’s broader sustainability goals. Recycling glycol is just one example of how service providers can actively support the collective effort toward sustainability. We have many other examples of how our operational processes provide a sustainability benefit. We consistently refine our processes and technology, aiming to enhance efficiency over time and this commitment to innovation and continual improvement is a cornerstone of our approach.

"Throughout history, the aviation sector has demonstrated an ability to adapt and constantly improve in the face of diverse challenges, contributing to its sustained growth"

How do you envision the future of this industry?

The aviation sector has historically been a testing ground for pioneering technologies, and it has not stopped innovating from its earliest days. I don’t see that changing, so it would not surprise me to see interesting applications of AI, as an example. In addition, advancements in sustainability technologies, combined with the momentum provided by aviation’s aggressive emissions reduction targets will combine to further drive innovation. Notwithstanding the temporary impact of curveballs like Covid-19, the growth trajectory for commercial aviation, including the rising number of carried passengers and cargo, the growth and renewal of aircraft fleets, and the expanding role of airports in our communities shows no sign of slowing down. This continual expansion brings about increased pressure across various fronts—be it environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, airspace management, passenger, and cargo logistics, and much more. Addressing these challenges is not a choice but a necessity for our industry. As a result, refining and enhancing our approaches in all these areas becomes paramount to ensure sustainable growth. Throughout history, the aviation sector has demonstrated an ability to adapt and constantly improve in the face of diverse challenges, contributing to its sustained growth. The industry has rebounded more swiftly than anticipated post-pandemic, underscoring the agility and adaptability that aviation has cultivated since its early days.

What is your piece of advice to your fellow peers?

Always prioritize people over all else, including technology. Our commitment to the safety of our employees, customers, and passengers should always take precedence. While technology plays a crucial role, we must recognize that leveraging it effectively relies on our people. In many ways, exclusive focus on technology can be counterproductive. We must not lose sight of our employees and what is best for their productivity, health, and overall well-being. So, my primary advice would be to ensure that the well-being and safety of our people remain at the forefront of our priorities, as they are the foundation upon which the successful integration of technology and achievement of sustainability goals depends.