Shaping global aviation policy: ACI advocates for airports’ interests at ICAO’s 41st Assembly
ACI World launches ‘#All4one Aviation Ecosystem’ campaign
Montreal, 26 September 2022 – Airports Council International (ACI) World will be promoting key airport priorities at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 41st Triennial Assembly, from 27 September to 7 October 2022, as it focuses on strengthening the sustainability of the entire aviation ecosystem.
Occurring every three years, ICAO’s Assembly establishes worldwide policy and guides governments’ continuing and future work in civil aviation. This event is expected to attract more than 2,500 delegates, including ministers, directors general of civil aviation, and senior policy and decision makers. States and international organizations, including ACI World, have submitted Working Papers that will be presented during the Assembly and that represent the perspectives of their constituencies. The discussion and their conclusions direct the work of ICAO for the next triennium.
“While we have all been heavily affected by the pandemic, the aviation industry has come out more united and with the clear understanding that we must support each other to sustainably recover and grow,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira. “If one stakeholder is left behind, the entire system suffers, especially our passengers and communities worldwide. All aviation stakeholders have the responsibility of maximizing the industry’s contribution to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals for current and future generations. Fundamentally, as an ecosystem, we must continue to put travellers and the communities we serve at the centre of what we do.”
ACI has launched the #All4one Aviation Ecosystem campaign that underpins its advocacy at ICAO’s 41st Assembly under one theme.
ACI Working Papers
“The ICAO Assembly is an opportunity for ACI to represent the views of airports and to present and discuss our global concerns,” said de Oliveira. “Our Working Papers this year focus on: developing aviation’s workforce; strengthening accessibility to air travel; meeting the industry’s net zero carbon goal by 2050; modernizing global policy frameworks on airport charges to ensure infrastructure development; and, reinforcing action to stop wildlife trafficking. All our papers have been developed with guidance from our membership through the ACI World Governing Board. We look forward to reporting on the outcomes of our work.”
The ACI World delegation will present five Working Papers:
- Attracting and developing the aviation ecosystem’s workforce to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability and resilience
To address the staff shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI World will invite the Assembly to collaborate with international organizations and industry to support professional development programs aimed at roles within aviation. This entails increased engagement with educational institutions to promote civil aviation as an attractive career choice.
- Airports’ efforts to decarbonize, required support and a collaborative approach with governments and stakeholders
Airports are fully committed to reaching the cross-industry long-term goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and urge States to do the same. ACI will invite the Assembly to further support airports’ work to develop and implement their decarbonization strategies and action plans; and support increased collaboration among stakeholders to increase the availability of renewable energy, finance, and capacity building.
- Accessibility to persons with disabilities: Dignified air travel for all
The drive towards greater social inclusion forms an integral part of the UN strategic framework, including the need to identify and eliminate barriers to access for persons with disabilities. ACI World will invite the Assembly to adopt a new Resolution on accessibility of air transport to persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, which recognizes the need for ICAO’s leadership to support measures to improve accessibility to air transport.
ACI World recently launched the Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program that provides a path of improvement for airports in the area of accessibility for passengers with disabilities. The program received support from diverse accessibility advocacy groups and ICAO.
- In support of ICAO’s Airport Economics Panel
ACI World will invite the Assembly to conduct a general review of the ongoing relevance and responsiveness of ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services, in support of ICAO’s own initiation to do so through a Working Group of Member States and Official Observers. ACI promotes the modernization of airport charges principles that should recognize the changed competitive landscape of the airport industry, and its long-term infrastructure needs to meet sustainable goals.
- Supporting effective mechanisms to fight wildlife trafficking
Wildlife trafficking is a global problem and air transport continues to be a frequently used method of transport for traffickers. ACI World will invite the Assembly to increase action and encourage States to implement measures to combat wildlife trafficking.
About ACI
Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. 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. As of January 2022, ACI serves 717 members, operating 1950 airports in 185 countries.
Notes for editors
- Access the ACI Working Papers and the #All4one Aviation Ecosystem campaign.
- Learn more about the 41st ICAO Triennial Assembly.
- Learn more about the new ACI Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program.
Media contacts
Adam Zampini
Director, Communications and Marketing, ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero
Sabrina Guerrieri
Manager, Communications and Publications, ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero