EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – ALEXI HUNTLEY – BOSS OF NATUREAIR 100% CARBON NEUTRAL AIRLINE

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NatureAir, the Costa Rican airline, are both finalists in the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow awards and entrants in the Changemakers’ Geotourism Challenge.

Based in San Jose Costa Rica, NatureAir offsets 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions to encourage reforestation of tropical forests in southern Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity zones of the Osa Peninsula. To date NatureAir has compensated for nearly 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide though the protection of more than 500 acres of tropical forests, offsetting more than 6,000 tons of carbon emissions each year.

In addition, NatureAir recently helped develop Costa Rica’s first alternative fueling station through its wholly owned fueling company, Aerotica. NatureAir fuels all ground equipment and vehicles with bio-diesel (a mix of recycled vegetable and cooking oils), collected from airline employees and local restaurants. It’s estimated this biodegradable fuel will reduce roughly 160 tones of CO2 emissions per year. The fuel costs five cents more per gallon but the sustainable impact to the environment makes it a worthwhile investment, according to NatureAir. These projects also provide other benefits, such as improved biodiversity through forestry projects and contribution to the renewable energy industry.

We talked to Alexi Huntley Khajavi, Natureair’s Commercial Director

Q: Congratulations on getting to the finals of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. What does this mean for you?
A: We are honoured to receive this nomination. NatureAir’s recognition is a significant sign that tourism can help in a positive force for change. The World Trade & Tourism Council is a resource for the sharing of knowledge and information that is key to solving some very big issues we have out there.

Q: Can you give me examples of Natureair’s key sustainable tourism initiatives in 2008? And your biggest success so far?
A: I believe our continuation with the carbon compensation program with our local Forestry Financing Department, FONAFIFO, is the cornerstone of our environmental efforts. Our carbon emissions alone are very small, but we were the first private sector company to join FONAFIFO in 2004, now there are over 50 private companies participating, and 45 companies are in the tourism industry. Despite our carbon neutrality being the big-ticket item, we get a lot of joy out of our Nature Kids program. Nature Kids is a non-profit organization that teaches local children English communication and environmental education. Just yesterday I saw 35 kids enroll in our school located in the Osa Peninsula, Entire families walked for miles to give their children an opportunity to learn. Overall, this is not about successes, rather small steps towards sustainability.)

Q: A carbon-neutral airline! How does this work?
A: We take 100% of the fuel burnt each year, and calculate how many tons of carbon dioxide that is put into the atmosphere. Then we work with FONAFIFO to identify privately held lands which need reforestation, or conservation of their primary tropical forests. We support these lands to regenerate trees and protect old growth forests from deforestation. Because of this program the landowners no longer have to cut down trees to make a living, the forest is protected and the landowner is compensated. Deforestation is the single largest contributor to climate change, NatureAir’s carbon neutral program is helping to protect over 600 hectares of land but we need to protect millions more. The only way to do that is if we all get on board.)

Q: And what are you working on at the moment, for the future?
A: We recently launched our own bio-diesel fueling station, the first in Costa Rica. The bio-diesel is produced from 100% recycled cooking oils, which all of our ground fleet and operations vehicles run on. This is a new project and we are proud of it.)

Q: What are your most important sustainable tourism principles and who do you see benefiting from them?
A: The people that benefit the most from our principles are the local providers, communities and employees. Sometimes the urge is to buy international or buy volume from international suppliers; however we have found that by providing the training and tools to the people in Costa Rica our return on your investment and the benefits are far more reaching for both the company and our team members.)

Q: The future looks pretty challenging – climate change, global political instability, the economic situation, fuel, food, water, population increases, changes in tourism source markets. Which of these challenges do you think hold the most danger, and which hold the most potential opportunities for you and sustainable tourism?
A: They are all scary and all of them are like an 800-pound gorilla in the room. However, that is the challenge we have, the fact is we are optimists and I think we will survive, if we start acting now. The key is to start at home, start with yourself, there are simple things we can all do that together added up would make a huge difference.)

Q: What do you see as a key factor to riding the storm in 2009?
A: In the industry as a whole – We need to stay positive and realize that a good product is still better than a cheap, bad one. And NatureAir has lots of optimism, focus and strength, although we are always striving to do more and do it better. We have no excuses for not delivering quality, regardless of the economy.

Q: It’s pretty difficult to see the future at the moment, after all EVERYTHING could change. Are you willing to be a little brave and tell us how you see it in 2020? 2050?
A: I turned my crystal ball off to conserve energy, sorry!

Q: What do you suggest should be the tourism industry’s key focus issue in 2009?
A: In 2009 the tourism industry needs to continue its focus, provide quality service and try to stay positive. For those that do travel NatureAir intends to give them the time of their lives, as they had the wits to go ahead and make long lasting memories despite today’s trying times.

Q: And what will Natureair’s key focus issue be?
A: Our focus is efficiency in execution, honesty in communication and searching for additional opportunities to create a more sustainable future for us all.

Q: Natureair has made tremendous strides in sustainable tourism in the last 9 years. Where do you see its involvement leading, and what are the next few steps?
A: We are all aware now of what sustainability is and some key issues or challenges that we face as a planet. I think the next chapter in sustainable tourism will be much more results oriented than message forming. It is important to learn what programs work today, and which ones need to be altered to become more effective. Rather than focusing on how to brand that new way, just pull your boots on and do it. This is not the time to be talking about how big the mountain is, we need to get on with it and start climbing).

Valere Tjolle