At the Baltra terminal, everything has been designed with the environment in mind. The Galapagos airport was built according to bioclimatic architectural plans. 80% of the materials used, notably stone and wood, come from old buildings. Water for sinks and toilets is recovered and recycled, and a desalination plant has been installed.
“The main thing to remember is that this is a sustainable building, a public building that has found the balance between technology and passenger comfort without polluting the environment. That’s the legacy we want to leave,” explains the airport manager.
Officially inaugurated in early 2013, the Galapagos airport, which handles 800 to 1,000 people a day, operates only during the day to limit electricity consumption. 25% of its energy comes from photovoltaic panels, and its position in relation to the prevailing winds limits the need for conventional air conditioning and the gases emitted by aircraft, while reducing noise pollution.
As an emblem of biodiversity, the Galapagos Islands have a duty to set an example in preserving their incomparable heritage.
Thanks to these many innovations, the airport has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council.
