- Airports globally prioritize a safe and sustainable air transport system
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 22 May 2024 . Today at the Airports Council International (ACI) World Annual General Assembly, ACI airport members unanimously adopted three foundational Resolutions aimed at ensuring a safe and sustainable aviation system as demand for air travel continues to increase.
ACI World Resolutions:
- Safety and security at airports as fundamental enablers of sustainable growth
- Enabling system capacity at airports to meet future growth
- Aviation decarbonization and airport climate action
ACI World Director General and CEO Luis Felipe de Oliveira said, “Global passenger traffic is poised to soar, with projections nearing 20 billion by 2042, doubling the estimates for 2024. Safely and sustainably accommodating this exponential growth necessitates collaboration across the entire aviation system, including governments. Together, we must ensure sufficient capacity, maintain safety and security, and meet aviation’s net-zero targets. The unanimous adoption of the Resolutions demonstrates the commitment from the world’s airports for sustainable growth, and we thank ACI members for providing a strong collective response. Collaboration is not just essential; it’s the only way forward.”
The annual General Assembly took place at the ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East/ ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference, and Exhibition—the most important global gathering of airport leaders—running from 21-23 May in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and hosted by Riyadh Airports Company.
Safety and security at airports as fundamental enablers of sustainable growth
Recognizing that long-term and sustainable growth of aviation requires that the highest levels of safety and security are maintained, this Resolution calls for strengthened collaboration between airports, Civil Aviation Authorities, governments, international organizations, and funding partners to enhance global aviation standards. This includes increasing certified aerodromes, improving safety and security measures through capacity building initiatives, and investing in the development of a skilled aviation workforce.
Airports are encouraged to continue to support the peer review ACI APEX program that helps airports optimize their operations, regulatory compliance, as well as raise aviation standards worldwide.
Enabling system capacity at airports to meet future growth
Recognizing that ground and airspace capacity present one of the largest challenges in accommodating future air travel demand, this Resolution calls upon airports, governments, and other key stakeholders such as air operators and air navigation service providers to prioritize collaboration in maximizing system capacity utilization. This includes, through policy, access to timely funding, and operational and technical improvements.
The ACI World-Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), Airport System Capacity Enhancement (ASCE) program, remains a key resource to optimize the use of airport system capacity, both in the air and on the ground.
Aviation decarbonization and airport climate action
Noting the commitment of airports to the industry’s Net Zero Carbon Goal, this Resolution urges governments and aviation stakeholders to prioritize sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption, along with investment in new propulsion technologies like electric and hybrid electric aircraft, and associated airport infrastructure. The Resolution emphasizes the need for unified global approaches to aviation decarbonization, including ensuring a sufficient supply of green energy to airports, and incentivizing climate adaptation and mitigation infrastructure development through appropriate financial mechanisms.
Joining the host of ACI environmental resources, including the ACI Airports Carbon Accreditation Program, ACI World has launched the Guidance on Airport Decarbonization, a complimentary publication providing guidance on building a roadmap for decarbonization, stakeholder engagement, and economic and financial aspects.
