Nature Air

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has selected Natureair as a finalist in the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Award in the Conservation category. The judging is based on a company’s support for conservation and the protection of nature, along with supporting the community and promoting environmental awareness.

Natureair recently joined the Climate Neutral Network, which is part of the United Nations Environment Program. They are the world’s first carbon neutral airline, compensating for 100% of their greenhouse gas emissions through a reforestation program in the Osa Peninsula. Aerotica, a subsidiary company, collects and  processes biodiesel fuel, which powers the airline’s ground transportation.

Natureair is a unique company and it has nothing to do with the accolades it receives. There is an ethos that permeates all levels of the company. “It’s in our DNA. We do it because we know it needs to be done. We don’t feel like heroes. We feel like we could do a lot more and these awards don’t make us rest on our laurels. They give us more motivation to keep pushing”, says Alexi Huntley Khajavi, Natureair Commercial Director.

You will find this sentiment in the cockpit as well. Pilot Eric Sagrera affirms, “I don’t know much about WTTC, but I know that we do a lot of good things without saying much to people about them. I think we could shout it more, but we don’t do it for the prizes. We do it because it is the best thing for our country and our children.”

Their biodiesel effort is made possible by the voluntary efforts of employees, who bring in their used cooking oil. Alexi recently spoke with one of the driver/guides, Fermin Rodriguez, who shared, “I am proud to work for Natureair. The other day, I stopped the van to pick up a container of cooking oil before it went into the garbage. The client in the van was amazed that our company does these little things. We are an airline, but we also are much more.” NatureKids is a perfect example of Fermin’s sentiment. The airline underwrites efforts in a number of communities to teach children English, to encourage parents to participate, and to promote environmental education.

It is true that Natureair has protected and reforested over 500 acres of tropical forests. They also reduce their ground transport CO2 emissions by 160 tons a year. However, the company would be unable to accomplish a single objective without the full support and participation of every single person who wears the uniform. We somehow think that companies receive these kinds of awards, and we don’t stop to think what an enormous accomplishment it is to create a corporate ethos and have it become a personal mission for each employee. Companies like Natureair are winners without ever receiving a single award.

Visit the Natureair web site to find out more about their contributions to Costa Rica’s environment.