Turkish Cargo's SMARTIST Facility Earns Prestigious LEED v4.1 Platinum Certification

Published: Monday, June 3, 2024

Turkish Cargo, the air cargo brand of Turkish Airlines, pursues its human- and nature-conscious approach as based on the activities it carries out in the field of energy efficiency. The global brand now accomplished the activities, it has been carrying out for obtaining the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) v4.1 O+M: EB Operations Certification for the purpose of enhancing its service quality and solidifying the leading position it holds in the industry. The Carrier, thus, became entitled to obtain the platinum operations certification for its SMARTIST cargo facility following the verification and review process.

Regarding such certification, Ali Turk, the Chief Cargo Officer of Turkish Airlines, said; “Acting with the awareness in terms of sustainability and environment is among our priorities. In this sense, we are committed to ensuring that the SMARTIST cargo facility not only enjoys its high capacity and cutting-edge technology, but also is a sustainable and people-oriented building.  Being the highest level of certification in Leed ratings, the platinum certification, we have obtained, is a substantial indication that characterizes such commitment. We, as a global carrier, are determined to reduce our carbon footprint.”

At SMARTIST, one of the state-of-the-art facilities in the world, cargo is being stored and transferred by means of the computer-controlled Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) without requiring use of an operator or forklift. Additionally, ULD storage processes are automated through the ULD Storage System. Thanks to such smart storage management systems, not only expedite the operational processes but also minimize any unfavorable circumstance, which might arise, and also achieve cost saving.

LEED v4.1 O+M: EB Platinum Operations Certification, which has been obtained for the SMARTIST Terminal, is designed to enhance the energy, water, material and interior quality and reduce their environmental impacts on continuous basis.  Enhancement of the energy, water efficiency and interior quality enables the accomplishment of the sustainable goals, while reducing the operating costs of the SMARTIST facility.