ACI ASIA-PACIFIC NEWS

Vivian Fung reports on the latest news, views and developments from across the busy Asia-Pacific region.

Big numbers attend Small and Emerging Airports Seminar

Over 160 participants from 26 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region descended on beautiful Langkawi in October as Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) generously hosted the ACI Asia-Pacific Small and Emerging Airports Seminar.

Delegates included representatives from 96 airport operators, regulators and service providers to the airport industry and, of course, a number of renowned speakers who provided their thoughts, insight and knowledge on a host of topics that included airport security, safety, environment, non-aeronautical revenue generation and cybersecurity.

The seminar was officially opened by Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin, MAHB’s acting group CEO and chief financial officer; Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, secretary treasurer of ACI Asia-Pacific and CEO of Oman Airports Management Company; and Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport.

Welcoming delegates, Al Hosni, noted: “ACI’s World Airport Traffic Forecasts [WATF] has identified that nine of the top 10 fastest growing countries in the world are from emerging and developing economies in Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

“The latest edition of WATF also reveals that emerging and developing economies will account for over 60% of the world’s passenger traffic by 2040.

“Hence, it is crucial for the airport community to gather and honestly discuss and deliberate on issues that are relevant and important to small and emerging airports, in order to cope with and prepare to meet the fast-growing demands of the industry.”

The official opening was followed by a keynote address from Azmir Zain, chief operating officer of Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM). His presentation was titled the ‘Regulatory Framework of Malaysia: Promoting a Resilient Civil Aviation Industry to Support Malaysia’s Economic Growth’.

Next up was Arved von zur Muehlen, group chief marketing officer of Malaysia Airlines, who provided a fascinating talk about how his airline has rebuilt and refreshed its brand in the last few years.

The event also proved a success for the number of key airport service providers in attendance, the exhibitors reporting a lot of interest and interaction with participants.

This biennial event is dedicated to the small and emerging airports in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pictured above during the opening ceremony are (from left to right): Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin; ACI World director general, Angela Gittens; Loke Siew Fook; MAHB chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Syed Anwar Jamalullail; Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni; and ACI Asia-Pacific’s regional director, Patti Chau.