ACI ASIA-PACIFIC NEWS
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Seminars, symposiums and the election of a new president make the headlines this June/July, writes Vivian Fung.
Seow Hiang Lee, CEO of Changi Airport Group, was officially elected president of ACI Asia-Pacific during this year’s Annual Assembly in Narita.
Lee, who agreed to serve the unexpired term of former president Kerrie Mather after she retired in January, expressed his delight at taking on the role for the next two years.
“ACI has long been at the forefront in fostering co-operation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve as the president of ACI Asia-Pacific region,” he enthused.
“I will continue to work closely with Patti [Chau] and the Regional Board to ensure that ACI remains relevant to the changing needs of our members and contributes toward a safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable air transport system.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our past president, Kerrie Mather, for her contributions and her leadership in strengthening ACI Asia-Pacific and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”
ACI Asia-Pacific’s regional director, Patti Chau, commented: “I welcome Seow Hiang Lee as ACI Asia-Pacific’s new president. He has been an active member of the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Board since 2008 and brings with him a wealth of international aviation industry experience and expertise.
“As CEO of one of the most dynamic business and transport hubs connecting the world, Seow Hiang Lee has an excellent knowledge of airport operations, commercial opportunities, regulatory framework, infrastructure and investment requirements globally.
“We look forward to his engaged leadership to steer ACI Asia-Pacific well into the future and advance the interests of Asia-Pacific airports.”
Other changes to the Board of Directors included the election of Kansai Airports co-CEO, Emmanuel Menanteau, as first vice president and the appointment of two second vice presidents – Kjeld Binger (Airport International Group) and Fred Lam (Airport Authority of Hong Kong) all for two year terms.
While new faces to the board are Geoff Culbert (Sydney Airport) and Kejian Zhang (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport), both appointments being for three years.

ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Cybersecurity Symposium
ACI Asia-Pacific was invited to make a presentation on ‘The Challenges to Smart Airports in a Cyber Environment’ at the recent ICAO Asia/Pacific Regional Cybersecurity Symposium in Hong Kong.
It was the first time the symposium had been hosted by Hong Kong in Asia-Pacific following the adoption of a cybersecurity resolution at the ICAO Assembly in 2016.
The symposium was an opportunity for experts in aviation, information technology, cybersecurity, ICAO and its members coming together to share latest technologies, information and experience.
ACI’s presentation touched upon how vulnerabilities were inevitable as connectivity increases in the Smart Airport environment, emphasising the need for process managers to take ownership of cybersecurity processes in close collaboration with respective IT departments and stakeholders. We encouraged airports to adopt technologies enhancing operational efficiency and customer service in face of competition.
Airports were also encouraged to adopt a total management approach to cybersecurity, inclusive of the procurement process to decommissioning of equipment and services.
The symposium was jointly organised by ICAO, the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong SAR, and Airport Authority Hong Kong.

ACI-DNA Seminar on Airport Security Operations Concluded in New Delhi
GMR Aviation Academy hosted the second ACI-Developing Nations Airport Assistance (DNA) Programme of 2018, the theme for the event in New Delhi, India, on May 28-30 being ‘Airport Security Operations’.
Nearly 20 airport representatives from Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Maldives, Myanmar and the Philippines attended the seminar, which was conducted by Sara Gladstone.
On the agenda during the three-day seminar was passengers and staff screening; landside security measures; security
culture; security case studies; and best practice sharing.