MAKING MILESTONES

ACI World chairman, Fredrick Piccolo, joins other aviation leaders in congratulating ACI Asia-Pacific on turning ten.

It’s no exaggeration to say that this region has produced some of the world’s most impressive and inspiring aviation stories over the years. 

A large part of ACI’s remit is to communicate the economic benefits that airports and aviation in general provide to local communities and the greater global marketplace. In this regard, the Asia-Pacific region’s contribution is exemplary. 

According to the Air Transport Action Group’s (ATAG) latest statistics, 1.2 million jobs were created at airports in the region in 2012. The Asia-Pacific air transport sector in general supported an impressive 5.7 million jobs. Aviation as a whole contributed a whopping $332 billion to GDP in Asia-Pacific. 

And the future for the region looks bright. Asia-Pacific’s passenger traffic accounted for roughly 33% of the worldwide total in 2014. By 2031, this percentage is expected to increase to over 40%. 

Furthermore, total passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific is expected to reach five billion by 2031. To give you an idea of the massive growth the region is experiencing, note that total worldwide passenger traffic reached the five billion mark just five short years ago. 

Needless to say, challenging but exciting days are ahead for the region. I’d like to congratulate ACI Asia-Pacific regional director Patti Chau, ACI Asia-Pacific president Dennis Chant and the entire ACI Asia-Pacific team on the excellent work they’ve put into being the voice of a region that is vast in both its geographical scope and its cultural diversity. 

Fredrick Piccolo, chair, ACI World and president and CEO of Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority

This year marks the 10th anniversary of ACI Asia-Pacific. I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the region on behalf of Capital Airports Holding Company and myself.

Today, Asia-Pacific is the biggest region of ACI in terms of traffic volumes. We owe this success to both the joint efforts of all member airports in the region and the strong leadership of our Regional Office.

I am quite confident that our region will continue to grow rapidly and contribute even more to the prosperity of the global aviation industry under the leadership of our excellent region.

Xue Song Liu, president and CEO, Capital Airports Holding Company

It has been 10 years since the Asia and Pacific Regions of ACI unified in 2006. 

On behalf of Shanghai Airport Authority, I extend my warmest congratulations to the ACI Asia–Pacific region on its 10th anniversary.

Its endeavour and devotion of the last 10 years has helped the Asia-Pacific region make some significant achievements and develop into its prime. 

I sincerely hope and wish the Asia-Pacific region keeps growing prosperously and will have a better tomorrow! 

Li Derun, chairman of the board of directors, Shanghai Airport Authority 

Over these past 10 years, the now combined Asia and Pacific region has undergone dramatic change and the most prominent growth in the world of aviation. 

Whilst reaping the benefits of this growth and development, airports in the region have faced numerous challenges to meet such robust demand. By continuing to develop a solid business foundation and provide effective and efficient services, ACI has enabled us to share the best practices and pursue common interests through the regional committee meetings and seminars.

In recent years, co-operation has been reinforced with ICAO and IATA, which are our key industry partners. 

I look forward to further and stronger interaction between the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Office and the member airports. Together we will lead the industry for a better future.

Kenichi Fukaya, senior executive advisor, NAA

ACI has come a long way since its launch as the global voice of airports, following the merger of the two former international bodies of AOCI and ICAA more than twenty years ago. 

Likewise, ACI Asia-Pacific, which was formed 10 years ago to better serve members airports of the two regions of Asia and Pacific and to provide them with stronger representation at the world forum. I was privileged to serve in the formative years of ACI and to witness the birth of ACI Asia-Pacific. 

On this auspicious occasion of its 10th anniversary, may I offer ACI Asia-Pacific my heartiest congratulations and best wishes. 

Wong Woon Liong, senior advisor, Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd