ACI ORGANISATION

The world of ACI: what it is and what it does

Airports Council International is the association of the world’s airports. It is a non profit organisation, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations. By fostering cooperation amongst airports, world aviation organisations and business partners, ACI makes a significant contribution to providing the travelling public with an air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible.

As the international association of the worlds’ commercial service airports, ACI represents the collective positions of its membership, which are established through committees and endorsed by the ACI Governing Board. These views reflect the common interests of the global airports community.

In carrying out this work, ACI organisational goals can be summarised as follows: 

  • Maximise the contributions of airports to maintaining and developing a safe, secure, environmentally compatible and efficient air transport system. 
  • Achieve cooperation among all segments of the aviation industry and their stakeholders as well as with governments and international organisations.
  • Influence international and national legislation, rules, policies, standards and practices based on established policies representing airports’ interests and priorities. 
  • Advance the development of the aviation system by enhancing public awareness of the economic and social importance of airport development. 
  • Maximise cooperation and mutual assistance among airports. 
  • Provide members with industry knowledge, advice and assistance, and foster professional excellence in airport management and operations. 
  • Build ACI’s worldwide organisational capacity and resources to serve all members effectively and efficiently.

Structure:
As of 1 December 2010, ACI counts 580 members operating over 1650 airports in 179 countries and territories. In 2009, airports worldwide welcomed 4.8 billion arriving and departing passengers and handled 79.8 million metric tonnes of cargo and 74.1 million movements. ACI regular members represent over 96 per cent of the world’s passenger traffic and are “owners or operators, other than airlines, of one or more civil airports with commercial air services.

ACI World offices are based in Montreal, Canada and has five geographical regions:

  • Africa (Casablanca)
  • Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong)
  • Europe (Brussels)
  • Latin America and Caribbean (Quito, Ecuador)
  • North America (Washington DC)

    To pursue the work with regional governmental and non governmental organisations; they are supported by specialised committees and task forces.

    International organisations:
    ACI is the “voice of the airports” in interacting with world bodies and advocate for the global airports industry before the media and opinion leaders. International partner organisations include the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), click here to learn about our work ICAO and other specialised UN organisations such as the World Health Organization and the UN Institute for Training and Research. ACI is one of only a few organisations having observer status with ICAO and it also has consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (UN/ECOSOC).

    The association also works closely with the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and regional airline associations. Contacts are maintained with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the International Air Rail Organisation (IARO), the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) and other worldwide organisations.

    ACI is a member of the International Industry Working Group (IIWG), which brings together the three principal segments of the world’s civil aviation industry, namely airports, airlines and manufacturers. This tripartite group (ACI, IATA and ICCAIA) is entrusted with tackling common problems related to the design, development and compatibility of aircraft and airports.

    Special ACI programmes:
    Aside from representing the interests of members to government and other interests, ACI has developed a number of special programmes, providing its members with services such as training, airport service quality benchmarking and forecasting.

    Events:
    ACI hosts global events from which members can learn from relevant guest presenters and other attendees, network with industry colleagues and do business.

    Publications:
    One of ACI’s key objectives is to promote better understanding of the international standards and practices that underpin our industry and that enable all of us to work more efficiently in a rapidly evolving environment. That is why ACI produces a wide range of publications that address global airport policies, standards and guidelines, industry statistics, operational surveys, analytical reports, briefs and position papers.

    See also:
    Contact ACI Staff
    ACI Annual Report 2010