Social participation

In harmony with society

Isavia is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure that is the basis for aviation services in Iceland, connections to the wider world and flights between three continents over a large area. Iceland’s airports constitute important public-transport infrastructure. Of these airports, Keflavík Airport is the largest entry point into Iceland and is especially important for the transport of passengers and goods by air in and out of the country. Isavia’s operations are of considerable national interest, and its staff make every effort to conduct their work in a safe and efficient manner in harmony with the community.

Isavia follows a policy of social responsibility, with priorities in accordance with the company’s overall policy. The company is working on and participating projects linked to this policy in various ways. The common thread running through these projects is that they support us in being part of a pleasant journey for passengers, customers and other stakeholders.

Isavia’s operations are of considerable national interest, and its staff make every effort to conduct their work in a safe and efficient manner in harmony with the community.

Social responsibility policy

The company’s social responsibility policy is based on expectations of corporate social responsibility as stated in the general state ownership policy, the Annual Accounts Act, and the Public Procurement Act, to name but a few.

United Nations Global Compact

Isavia is a party to the UN Global Compact. By virtue of its participation, Isavia undertakes to ensure that its polices and work practices are in accordance with the ten basic rules of the United Nations on human rights, work issues, environmental issues and actions against corruption. Isavia also undertakes to participate in projects supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to publish information on the company’s social responsibility in accordance with the criteria of the UN Global Compact and the GRI.

UN Women Equality Convention

Isavia has signed the UN Women Equality Convention, an international initiative spearheaded by UN Women and the UN Global Compact. As a signatory, Isavia undertakes to address equality issues with the company, demonstrate social responsibility and take the initiative in the field. The agreement contains seven criteria to guide the efforts of companies and institutions to foster equality and increase their participation of women in business. Signing this Convention is the natural continuation of other efforts made by the company under the banner of social responsibility and dovetails with the company’s objectives on gender equality.

United Nations Global Goals

Isavia has set itself a policy-making objective linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Special emphasis has been placed on Global Goals 3 (Good health and well-being), 5 (Gender equality), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), 13 (Climate action) and 17 (Partnerships for the goals). Isavia intends to prioritise these goals in 2019 as well as focus on Global Goals 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).

gri - Global Reporting Initiative

This is the third time Isavia is issuing an Annual and CSR Report, but this is the first year the report has been issued in accordance with GRI standards (Core criteria plus GRI-G4 special provisions on airports). These special provisions deal specifically with the challenges and opportunities faced by airports when it comes to sustainability. The aim of issuing this report is to provide a more in-depth view of the company’s activities and its effects on society at large. The information in the report is based on operations in 2018.

Festa - Icelandic Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility

Isavia is an active member of Festa, the Icelandic Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The aim of Festa is to raise awareness of CSR in Icelandic companies and in the community and encourage research in this field.

Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism is a motivational project with the aim of Icelandic tourism companies agreeing on some clear and simple actions concerning responsible tourism. The purpose of the project is to promote Iceland as a desirable tourist destination going forward, which supports sustainability for future generations of the country.

ICELAND TOURISM

The establishment of Iceland Tourism was a milestone of innovation in the Icelandic tourism industry. Iceland Tourism is an interdisciplinary co-operation initiative which systematically supports and promotes the industry. It is a real addition to the tourism-related activities conducted elsewhere (e.g. by the Travel Industry Association, the Icelandic Tourist Board and Promote Iceland, to name but a few) and does not replace them. Iceland Tourism promotes greater co-operation with these and other partners throughout Iceland.

Startup Tourism

Isavia is one of the sponsors of the Startup Tourism business accelerator, which gives startup companies in the tourism sector a chance to bring their business ideas to fruition. Ten companies are selected for participation and their representatives are given a ten-week training course by various experts to further develop their business ideas.

Drills are an important social aspect, testing and training the community’s level of disaster resilience. Civil protection and accident response

Isavia is a member of the Civil Protection Control Centre and plays a key role in response plans for search and rescue in the Icelandic air traffic control area. Response drills at the airport are an important part of Isavia’s preparedness as well as civil protection measures and their development. As a rule, four air accident drills are held every year throughout Iceland. Participation is without fail good, with more than 1,000 people from all response units usually taking part in these drills. Since the company began holding regular drills at airports, the response plans of the Civil Protection unit for multi-party accidents have developed in line with the working procedures used in airport drills. The company’s drills have therefore become a consultation forum for response entities for the development of knowledge and procedures that have been codified in regulations and the Civil Protection Act.

In 2018, air accident drills were held at Vopnafjörður Airport, Bíldudalur Airport, Húsavík Airport and Egilsstaðir Airport. Some 550 people from all response units took part in these drills. Drills are an important social aspect, testing and training the community’s level of disaster resilience.

Drills are an important social aspect, testing and training the community’s level of disaster resilience.

isavia´S Community Fund

The Community Fund awarded numerous grants to various projects during the year. The grants focus on environmental issues, humanitarian issues, preventative measures, aviation matters, arts, culture and education. In addition, the company supports various other charities by providing space for collection boxes in airports.

Isavia’s University Grants

Grants have been allocated to students who are taking their master’s degrees and doctorates at Reykjavík University and the University of Iceland. There are many exciting area of research within the aviation and tourism sector, including in the fields of engineering, technology, computer science, law, tourism studies, business studies and economics. Further information on grants for university students is available from the offices of the University of Iceland and Reykjavík University.

Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) and Icelandic Red Cross

The Isavia and ICE-SAR Grant Fund has been active since 2012 and has, up to 2018, allocated close to ISK 70 million to search and rescue teams. At the beginning of 2018, a similar agreement was signed with the Red Cross. Isavia has now set up multi-party accident equipment throughout the country via our partners, which can be used when necessary, e.g. in the event of a coach accident or when it is necessary to house a large number of people in mass relief centres. In 2018, carts were delivered to ICE-SAR search and rescue teams and Red Cross divisions throughout Iceland.

Co-operation between Isavia, the Red Cross and ICE-SAR has been successful, and the volunteers from these organisations are an important parts of the airports’ response systems. You can see a film about Isavia and ICE-SAR’s multi-party accident projects here.