The Board of County Commissioners recognized Key West International Airport for receiving the Florida Airports Council Benjamin J. Siwinski Sustainability Award, announced last month during the Florida Airports Council Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
It is the airport’s third award for Concourse A and its fifth overall, recognizing accomplishments by the airport and its management in recent years.
The award is one of the council’s highest environmental honors, recognizing innovative sustainability efforts that strengthen Florida’s aviation system while honoring the legacy of one of the industry’s most respected environmental leaders. The award recognized the airport’s innovative bird-friendly glass windows throughout the facility.
Key West lies along both the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways, placing the airport within a major migratory corridor used by hundreds of bird species each year. Large glass structures can present hazards to birds because reflections often create the illusion of open sky or habitat.
Specialized ceramic frit patterns were embedded into the glass surface, creating visual markers that help birds recognize the structure and avoid collisions. The project team also utilized advanced glazing systems with low exterior reflectance to further reduce the likelihood of bird strikes.
“A commitment to protecting migratory birds was a defining environmental element of the project,” said Richard Strickland, Executive Director of Airports. “This award means a great deal to the entire team who worked on Concourse A and me.”
The award was named for Ben Siwinski, who was widely respected as an early pioneer in airport sustainability and environmental resiliency. Throughout his career, he championed innovative environmental practices at airports across Florida and nationally while mentoring countless young aviation professionals. After his passing in 2022, the Florida Airports Council created this award to continue his legacy of innovation, stewardship, and leadership.