Helping businesses and local authorities benefit from growth at the airport is an integral part of the Aéroports de Paris (AdP) corporate social responsibility strategy. Every year the company allocates over €2 million to its programme of economic and social cooperation in the Île-de-France region.
It has set up a business development scheme to help new companies grow. AdP and its partners have first developed the “Aéropôle” business development programme for start-ups and early-stage companies and a business services centre. The incubator programme accepts companies less than three years old, offers them fully equipped office premises and shared services, and puts them in contact with a network of AdP partners. A special scheme is offered to companies less than one year old. AdP has also created Datagora, for French or international companies wishing to set up their businesses in the area.
Roissy GIPEmploi is a partnership between Charles de Gaulle airport, the State, the Île-de-France Region, local authorities, chambers of commerce and industry to help local residents benefit from the job opportunities offered by the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport area. The programme helps develop combined work-training schemes, apprenticeships, workforce integration and access to airport-related occupations. The Orly-Paris international business centre, created by AdP, the Île-de-France region and general councils of the Essonne and Val-de-Marne départements, ensures the promotion of the Orly business hub.
AdP has also developed a sustainable procurement policy which: integrates environmental and social requirements in bidding regulations and tender specifications; sets out a “good practices” guide for all suppliers; develops in-service training programmes to encourage AdP buyers to integrate these issues into the procurement process; while ensuring the loyalty of suppliers and service providers through developing partnerships. In 2011, Aéroports de Paris opened its service academy to focus on service relationships and their management for AdP employees. The company plans to extend the training to partner companies and administrative bodies, service providers and airlines.
AdP has also carried out an audit of social responsibility among main suppliers and encourages fair trade practices throughout the supply chain.