About the ACI Federation
Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, is a federated organization comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific, ACI EUROPE, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean, and ACI North America. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable.
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In 2022 , ACI identified proper areas of advocacy and stakeholder engagement to ensure that the industry gets back on the same trajectory as it was before the pandemic struck. With new post-pandemic lenses, we are returning to our core priorities of ensuring airports can invest in infrastructure and can run efficiently and sustainably. We—the airport industry as a whole—are very committed to ensuring that robust industry performance translates into wider economic and social benefits, and fosters development and prosperity.
ACI World Chair Sheik Aimen Al Hosni (CEO of Oman Airports)
The ACI World Governing Board (WGB) consists of 28 representatives nominated by the regional ACI Boards, plus the Immediate Past Chair of the Board. It meets twice a year for strategic discussions on key subjects for airport operators that reflect the concerns and interests of ACI members. They determine ACI’s worldwide policies, report to the General Assembly, approve the budget, worldwide program of activities, and policy statements, among other duties.
With almost all countries lifting travel restrictions, 2022 was a major gamechanger for the recovery of air travel. Despite headwinds, air travel is expected to reach 6.5 billion passengers in 2022, equating 72% of 2019 traffic. With recovery well underway, the World Governing Board began to shift focus from short-term survival to building a long-term sustainable air transport system.
2022 was a particularly busy and successful year for ACI World. We set measurable goals, delivered concrete actions, and raised the bar for our future work, while increasing social and economic benefits to the communities we serve. ACI World's successful advocacy at ICAO's 41st Assembly was absolutely key to advancing the collective interests of airports as we march forward into full recovery. We thank the World Governing Board Members, Standing Committees, and all staff for their commitment, guidance, and wisdom. We will continue to work as a unifying voice in 2023 and beyond — the voice of the world’s airports.
ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira
ACI World at ICAO's 41st Assembly
Every three years, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) holds its Assembly, which establishes the worldwide policy of the Organization for the upcoming triennium. The event attracted over 2,500 delegates, including ministers, directors general of civil aviation, and senior policy and decision makers.
Under the #All4one Aviation Ecosystem campaign, ACI World's advocacy at the 41st ICAO Assembly was overwhelmingly successful. Positive outcomes included: agreement on the need to review existing policies on airport charges; strengthening aviation’s workforce; the adoption of the first ICAO Resolution on accessibility of air transport; as well as an amendment to the ICAO Resolution on wildlife trafficking to better combat the global issue.
ACI World and the long-term environmental goal
In 2019, the World Governing Board asked ACI World to convince its industry partners of the importance of a long-term environmental goal for the industry, and to encourage ICAO to take it forward. ACI World delivered.
In one of the top highlights of the year, airports and the entire aviation industry welcomed an agreement by governments to a long-term aspirational goal of Net Zero Carbon Emissions for international aviation by 2050. This is in line with the Paris Agreement and the aviation industry's own climate goal.
ACI World Resolutions
Building on the successes from the ICAO Assembly, the ACI World Annual General Assembly approved key Resolutions to strengthen and promote the sustainability and resilience of airports. These Resolutions will help airports deliver the long-term net zero carbon goal; restore economic equilibrium; support small, emerging, and regional airports; and, build aviation’s workforce. These key areas will lead ACI World's focus in 2023.
ACI World and the aviation workforce
The faster than expected traffic recovery came with workforce challenges in some regions – experienced by many service industries, but felt strongly by aviation.
Dedicated advocacy and the development of timely guidance in this area quickly became a priority for ACI World in 2022. Ensuring that aviation remains attractive to current and future generations as we compete for the best talent is crucial to aviation’s immediate and long-term sustainability.
ACI World and airport charges
ACI World remained committed to its position on airport charges by providing in-depth evidence to support the need for global policy frameworks that incentivize sustainability, efficiency, investment in infrastructure, and that generate social and economic benefits as well as connectivity.
ACI World was fortunate to have partnered with InterVISTAS to produce The State of Play Research Report and Regional Analysis, which supports ACI World's policy recommendations on the modernization of global policies on airports charges.
ACI Africa / ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference, and Exhibition
The ACI Africa / ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference, and Exhibition (#WAGA2022), took place in Marrakesh, Morocco, and brought together over 500 CEOs from all regions. This edition of the most important global gathering of airport leaders was warmly hosted by Morocco's Office National Des Aéroports (ONDA).
ACI World extends appreciation to the Minister of Transport and Logistics of Morocco Mohammed Abdeljalil; Director General of ONDA Habiba Laklalech for their support of and participation in the event. As well as to Dr. Hassan Sahidi, President of Flight Safety and Adefunke Adeyemia, Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) for their inspiring keynotes.
At the Gala Dinner, ACI World and Amadeus announced the winners of the Technology Innovation Awards, which put a spotlight on the best technology initiatives and leadership by airports. The winners were AENA's Barcelona Airport, Incheon Airport, and Kamil Kadri as best airport innovation leader, from Hamad International Airport. The Awards highlight the pioneering work of airports around the world, driven by creative and passionate people in the airport community.
ACI Customer Experience Global Summit
ACI World is cognizant of the many changes the pandemic has brought to traveller behaviours and expectations. The annual ACI World Customer Experience Global Summit (#AirportCX), under the theme "Re-Humanizing the Airport Experience," was perhaps the most relevant and successful to date. This year's edition took place in Krakow, Poland, and was graciously hosted by Krakow Airport.
The World office thanks Radosław Włoszek, President of the Board of Krakow Airport and Polish Government Representatives Mr. Andrzej Adamczyk, Minister of Infrastructure, and Mr. Marcin Horała, Secretary of State, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy for their support and participation. As well as keynote Steven Van Belleghem – a global thought leader and best-selling author – for his memorable speech on customer centricity.
At the Gala Dinner, ACI World and delegates celebrated the winners of the prestigious ASQ Awards. 110 awards were given to 87 individual airports around the world. We also announced the new level 5 of the Customer Experience Accreditation program and Incheon International Airport’s achievement in being the first airport to level up to it.
ACI World publications
In support of its mission to advance and promote airport excellence, ACI World and its Standing Committees continued to produce publications on a wide range of subjects from ESG and Sustainable Aviation Fuels, to Wildlife Hazard Management and Advanced Air Mobility, as well as annual traffic and economic data and analyses. ACI World publications continue to help airports evolve with changes in the industry and meet industry best practices.
ACI Intelligence Hub
ACI World initiated a new project in line with its commitment to the gathering and analysis of airport data for the benefit of ACI members. The new ACI Intelligence Hub provides access to in-depth airport data and valuable insights into industry benchmarks, trends, and forecasts. The library and executive modules are complimentary to all ACI members.
ACI World Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program
Looking ahead to the attainment of a sustainable aviation ecosystem, ACI World strengthened inclusion as a priority. In line with its advocacy on accessibility, the new Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program provides its members with an initiation into the path of continuous accessibility improvement. The program received input from accessibility advocacy groups in the development stages and received support from ICAO.
ACI World Public Health & Safety Readiness Accreditation program
Continuing with its forward vision, ACI World introduced its members to the next evolution of the popular Airport Health Accreditation program: the Public Health & Safety Readiness Accreditation program. The new accreditation looks beyond the pandemic to long-term sustainable planning and assesses how aligned airports' public health and safety measures are with ACI guidance, industry best practices, and recommendations from the ICAO Council’s Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART).
ACI World Global Training and Assessments
ACI World's Global Training and Assessments – the world’s leading provider of airport management and operations education – delivered 134 instructor-led courses to over 1,700 students, including 101 GSN Diploma Graduates.
In addition, ACI World and ICAO boasted 37 graduates from the joint Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP), earning the International Airport Professional (IAP) Designation.
The year in review also saw the return of on-site Airport Excellence (APEX) peer assessments in Safety and Security, with over 23 reviews conducted.
In 2022, the ACI Fund supported 17 airports in the AHA and Public Health and Safety Readiness (PHSR) programs; APEX in Safety reviews in LAC; 104 training scholarships; and the participation of 11 airport professionals from Ukrainian airports in the ACI Customer Experience Global Summit.
As ACI Africa embarks on its fourth decade, it remains determined to support the strategy and roadmap of all African airports towards enhanced safety and security, decarbonization and sustainability goals, and digital transformation. African airports, like those in other regions, have responded stoically to the health and economic crisis and are now on the path to improving the standards and level of aerodrome certification, and committing to Net Zero Carbon by 2050, amongst others. We are fully conscious that staying competitive and up-to-date can be challenging in Africa. We are, however, determined to pursue our knowledge-oriented vision to reskill or upskill the airport workforce. Together, we shall progress from commitment to implementation.
ACI Africa Secretary General Ali Tounsi
ACI Africa's African Airports Development Program
ACI Africa, under the leadership of its Board, brought its mission forward with the African Airports Development Program (AADP). The initiative assists African airports in the aerodrome certification process and provides access to knowledge and expertise through high quality and affordable training programs.
ACI Africa MoU with Sudan Airports Company Ltd
ACI Africa and Sudan Airports Company Ltd (SACL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and collaboration between both parties, including specific assistance to be provided to SACL in different airport fields.
ACI Africa MoU with the African Civil Aviation Commission
In addition, ACI Africa and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) achieved an important milestone through the signing of a MoU. One of the important pillars of this partnership is centered around technical assistance and support to achieve aerodrome certification.
At the 41st ICAO Assembly, AFCAC presented a Working Paper that explicitly recognized ACI Africa's vital role, among others, in providing technical assistance to airports in the region, for the pursuit of safer airport operations and enhanced cooperation between ICAO, aviation stakeholders, and airports.
ACI Africa Sustainable Aviation Academy
Africa should not be left behind in the race towards the Net Carbon Zero Goal and ACI Africa left no stone unturned in this quest. In 2022, the regional ACI office announced the launch of its Sustainable Aviation Academy (SAA), in partnership with its business partner ENVISA, with a first series of six courses linked to the theme of sustainable airports.
ACI Africa Smart Airport Certification and Operations Software
ACI Africa embarked on a collaboration with Barthauer Software to develop the Smart Airport Certification and Operations Software (SACOS). The aim of this software is to assist airports in achieving and maintaining airport certification status. ACI Africa intends to pilot the software with an African airport in the testing phase.
ACI Africa events
After two years of disruption, ACI Africa renewed its conferences in 2022. The first one was held in Mombasa, Kenya in March and the second one, #WAGA2023, in partnership with ACI World, took place in Marrakesh, Morocco in October. Both conferences were well attended and successes all around.
At the latter's Gala Dinner, ACI Africa announced the winners of the highly popular and successful ACI Africa Safety Awards, with this year’s theme centered on Excellence in Safety Management Systems. A record number of 31 airport entries were received for these awards.
Despite challenges, 2022 was a positive year for Asia-Pacific. Although COVID-19 cases spiked early in 2022, prompting a new wave of limitations, nations started to reopen their borders from the middle of the year, which allowed our business to gradually recover. As for our engagement and advocacy, we succeeded in having a positive effect as we continued to work in close collaboration with our members and institutional stakeholders, aligned with our mission to promote excellence in airport management and operations.
ACI Asia-Pacific Director General Stefano Baronci
ACI Asia-Pacific Resolution on climate goal
ACI Asia-Pacific and its members unanimously passed a Resolution that agreed to the common goal of Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 and the development of action plans to meet this commitment by proactively undertaking the necessary steps to reduce emissions through low carbon technologies in airport operations and infrastructure management.
ACI Asia-Pacific and the reopening of borders
ACI Asia-Pacific extensively engaged with national authorities for reopening of borders and relaxation of COVID-related restrictions, to provide impetus to traffic recovery. The results were encouraging as Japan and Hong Kong gradually eased travel curbs. ACI Asia-Pacific engaged with governments and stakeholders, calling for the global harmonization of travel, as well as withdrawal of in-bound travel curbs to facilitate the seamless recovery of the industry.
ACI Asia-Pacific to establish a sub-regional office for the Middle East in Riyadh, KSA
With the aim of further strengthening ACI Asia-Pacific's international exposure, the regional Board also approved the proposal to open a sub-regional office in the Middle East, which will share services and interact with the Hong Kong office. This will help ACI Asia-Pacific to further customize its programs for members in the Middle East.
ACI Asia-Pacific and the Air Transport Strategic Plan
ACI Asia-Pacific was nominated by ICAO Middle East as the co-rapporteur of the working group tasked with drafting the MID-Air Transport Strategic Plan 2025–2040. The plan will define the strategic objectives for the air transport industry of the Middle East in the areas of safety, security, facilitation, environmental protection and air connectivity.
ACI Asia-Pacific Quarterly Airport Industry Outlook
To help members plan for the future, the regional ACI office launched their Airports Industry Outlook, a quarterly report that analyzes the performance of the industry in the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern regions and provides evolving industry trends.
For European airports, 2022 was a year of dynamic traffic recovery underpinned by continued financial and operational challenges. As the revenue-weak and cost-intensive recovery progressed, airports had to face yet another major disruption this year. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022 was a systemic shock with the instantaneous decimation of one country’s aviation industry and concurrent challenges for European airports as a whole. Against this volatile backdrop, ACI EUROPE continued to strengthen its position as the voice of Europe’s airports, engaging closely with its members, the institutions and industry partners, with sustainability and decarbonization as key priorities for the airport business.
ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec
ACI EUROPE and support for the Toulouse Declaration
In February, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union convened a dedicated Aviation Summit with the top tier of the European Union (EU) Institutions, EU Member States, allied countries, and the industry in Toulouse, France. The event’s key priority discussion were on the future of European aviation and, in particular, its decarbonization. The French Presidency launched the so-called “Toulouse Declaration” – the first ever public-private initiative supporting aviation’s decarbonization goals.
ACI EUROPE endorsed the Declaration, both in its own right as the voice of the European airport industry and as part of the Destination 2050 partnership. More than 300 airports across the continent added their signatures, thereby reconfirming their commitment to reaching Net Zero CO2 emissions from their operations by 2050.
ACI EUROPE and advocacy for intra-EU alignment
ACI EUROPE joined forces with airlines and other industry stakeholders in advocating for intra-EU alignment and the abolishment of the patchwork of measures including the publication of OXERA/EdgeHealth research into the limited impact of travel restrictions on the spread of new variants of concern.
In May, as a direct consequence of European air transport industry’s advocacy efforts, Europe’s airports welcomed the publication by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) of their updated Aviation Health Safety Protocol, which advised European States and industry on the progressive de-escalation of protective measures aimed at limiting the risk of COVID-19 infection during air travel.
European airport climate milestone
At the 2022 ACI EUROPE Regional Airports’ Conference and Exhibition in Palermo, the European airport industry marked a key milestone of more than 200 airports engaged in climate action within the Airport Carbon Accreditation program.
Having originated in Europe, the region has consistently seen the highest levels of participation since the program’s inception in 2009. From the initial 17 accredited airports, the program has enjoyed robust year-on-year growth. European airports have also topped the ranking of the highest number of airports at the more advanced levels of accreditation – Level 3/3+ and 4/4+, with 77 airports currently holding accreditation at these levels.
ACI EUROPE and urban air mobility
Mid-July saw the announcement of the first vertiport operator to join ACI EUROPE. With the potential for urban air mobility (UAM) rapidly developing as one of the most exciting new paradigms in aviation, the inclusion of Urban-Air Port into the membership is a symbolic and significant step forward. For Europe’s airports, eVTOL technology offers new opportunities for feeding traffic between airports, cities and regions, and a highly complementary role as a hub for low-carbon transport and traffic.
2022 was an encouraging year for ACI-LAC. The region led the world in terms of traffic recovery, with preliminary figures indicating that December passenger traffic already reached the same level as December 2019 and total yearly traffic 6% below 2019. In terms of membership, LAC has more members than ever, reaching 317 airports in 35 countries and with prospects for many more to join in 2023. In terms of activities LAC has been very active, with the launch of three new committees and new initiatives like the ACI Airport Day and International Study Tours."
ACI Latin America and the Caribbean, Director General, Dr. Rafael Echevarne
ACI-LAC Airport Day event
In 2022, ACI-LAC launched its new Airport Day event. The main objective of this initiative is to support members in developing their positions on specific topics on interest. The concept aims to reach out to specific target audiences, such as governments and regulators. The first two events took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Bogota, Colombia, with more than 150 participants each. Sustainability was the main focus of both Airport Day events.
New ACI-LAC subcommittees
ACI-LAC created three new subcommittees in 2022: Air Cargo, General Aviation, and Airport Wildlife Hazard and Runway Safety Teams (RST). The main objectives of the Air Cargo and General Aviation subcommittees are to identify ways to increase revenue in these two streams and to exchange best practices. The Airport Wildlife Hazard and RST subcommittee works to reduce risks at airports and enhance operational safety.
ACI-LAC, jointly with their committees and subcommittees, launched the #ComprometidosConTuSeguridad campaign to highlight airport members' efforts to enhance airport safety and mitigate wildlife hazards. This initiative will continue in 2023.
ACI-LAC strengthens partnerships
ACI-LAC has strengthened its close relationship and collaboration with ICAO regional offices and other industry organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to enhance airport safety. The FAA is supporting airports in the region by funding ACI APEX in Safety Reviews and ACI Global Training courses in selected airports in Central America. ACI-LAC continues to represent airport operators in the different regional aviation safety working groups organized by ICAO.
ACI-LAC International Study Tours
In collaboration with regional Business Partners, ACI-LAC successfully conducted the first-ever study tour focusing on innovative solutions that airports are developing in the Netherlands. More than 25 representatives from 12 airports in Latin America learned from leading airports in Europe.
2022 was a year of challenge for North American airports, but I am continually impressed by the resiliency of our industry. As we explore solutions to the complex issues we face as an industry, including workforce planning, security, facilitation, infrastructure, sustainability, commercial management, air service, and more, ACI-NA remains as committed as ever to supporting all our members and advancing airport industry priorities as we look toward the future.
ACI North America President and CEO Kevin M. Burke
International travel reopens in North America
As barriers to international travel – particularly cross border travel – began to lift, ACI-NA teams remained engaged with both the U.S. and Canadian governments to ensure a seamless reopening. Throughout the years, ACI-NA has been deeply engaged in ensuring U.S. Preclearance locations are staffed to handle increased flows of passengers.
They remain focused on expanding that work to now address the the reopening of NEXUS enrollment offices in Canada and the significant backlog of Global Entry and NEXUS enrollments and renewals. The ACI-NA teams are in regular communication with their governments, airline partners, and other stakeholders to seek remedies to these issues.
Climate action and sustainability in North America
North American airports are leaders in climate action and sustainability. The region's airports and ACI-NA's work in this area focused on welcoming the ICAO General Assembly endorsement of the 2050 climate goal, and further encouraging the whole of global aviation to move forward in that long-term goal together.
In addition, ACI-NA recognized 41 North American airports achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation during the 2022 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition.
During the ceremony: Ottawa International Airport was recognized as the latest North American airport to achieve carbon neutral status; Toronto Pearson International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were recognized for achieving transformational accreditation toward absolute emissions reduction; and, San Diego International Airport and Vancouver International Airport joined Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to achieve the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation by offsetting their carbon emissions.
ACI North America and the aviation workforce
ACI-NA is committed to one of the most critical areas that will help shape and grow the airport industry: its workforce — the individuals who keep passengers safe, maintain facilities, and improve the airport experience for everyone who passes through them. In 2022, ACI-NA released The Future of the Airport Workforce Report that identifies key skills that will be required of employees and most industry occupations and provides high-level strategies to address and collectively plan for future workforce challenges.
ACI-NA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group
ACI-NA announced the formation of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group, remaining committed to their social responsibility priorities. Comprised of professionals and DEI experts from across the organization, the Working Group will take a deep dive into the industry’s commitments to DEI issues and assist the association in developing a clear and actionable approach to one of the most important leading issues of our time.
ACI-NA announces first USAP Graduates
In 2020, ACI-NA launched an accredited e-learning training curriculum, the U.S. Airport Professional (USAP) Program, to equip students with the leadership and strategic management skills necessary for personal and professional advancement in the U.S. airport industry. The program was developed in collaboration with U.S. airport industry and professional development experts. As part of U.S. Airport Professional Month in April, ACI-NA announced the first group of accredited professionals of the program.
