Ajay Kumar at 15:56, 28 August 2023

2023-08-28T15:56:15Z

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{{Short description|Trade association}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{advert|date=October 2018}}
[[File:Airports Council International Logo.svg|thumbnail|Official logo of the ACI.]]
'''Airports Council International''' ('''ACI''') is an organization of [[Airport authority|airport authorities]] aimed at unifying industry practices for [[airport]] standards. Established in 1991, its headquarters (ACI World) are based in [[Montreal|Montreal, Quebec]], [[Canada]], and its members operate nearly 2000 airports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-07 |title=About ACI – ACI World |url=https://aci.aero/about-aci/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Major programmes include [[safety]] enhancement (APEX) and Airport Service Quality Awards (ASQ), based on passenger satisfaction ratings. Other initiatives cover economics, operational security, [[Airport Carbon Accreditation|carbon accreditation]] and passenger transportation. Next Experience in Travel and Technologies (NEXTT) coordinates the movement of passengers, cargo, baggage and aircraft by using processing technology and interactive decision-making.

==Background==

Before 1970, the world's airports were represented by three distinct associations:

* Airport Operators Council International (AOCI)
* International Civil Airports Association (ICAA
* Western European Airports Association (WEAA)

Due to the growing importance of external factors on airport operations, the need for a formal relationship with governments, airlines, manufacturers and other parties concerned became more apparent. In 1970, these three associations created the Airport Associations Coordinating Council (AACC) in order to formulate unified airport industry policies, furthering collaboration between its constituent associations and representing them collectively with aviation organizations and other relevant bodies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/About-ACI/Overview/ACI-History|title=ACI History|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

The decision to create ACI was taken in 1989. The Constitution of ACI to succeed AACC was approved in the autumn of 1990 and came to effect in 1991.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In 2011, ACI relocated its headquarters from [[Geneva|Geneva, Switzerland]], to [[Montreal|Montreal, Canada]]. The decision was in part motivated by the fact that the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) is located in Montreal. The purpose was to facilitate better coordination of their activities and also to operate alongside the [[International Air Transport Association|International Air Transport Association (IATA)]], also located in the same city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.international.gouv.qc.ca/en/allemagne/actualites/8371|title=Airports Council International moving to Montréal {{!}} News|website=international.gouv.qc.ca|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

In 2016, airports worldwide welcomed 7.7 billion arriving and departing passengers and handled 110 million metric [[tonne]]s of cargo and 92 million aircraft movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/About-ACI/Overview/Mission-Objectives-Structure|title=Mission, Objectives, Structure|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

ACI reported 641 members operating 1,957 airports in 176 countries and territories. ACI regular members are owners or operators, other than airlines, of one or more civil airports with commercial air services.

== Priorities ==
ACI represents airports interests with governments and international organizations such as [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training.<ref name="ACI – Airport Council International – The Voice of the Worlds Airports">{{Cite news|url=https://www.airport-suppliers.com/supplier/aci-airport-council-international/|title=iwasroute|work=Airport Suppliers|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Safety ===
ACI considers safety its main priority and has launched programs such as Airport Excellence (APEX) to help airports enhance their level of safety. It also provides publications that describe recommendations and best practices for airport operators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/About-ACI/Priorities/Safety/Initiatives|title=Initiatives|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> It is involved in airport design specifications, [[standard operating procedure]]s for airports, technology, systems & equipment, safety management systems for airports, safety guidance material and training.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/10163/airports-council-international-officially-launches-its-apex-in-safety-programme/|title=Airports Council International officially launches its APEX in Safety programme – International Airport Review|website=internationalairportreview.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

=== Economics ===
ACI encourages its member airports to improve operational and cost efficiency to moderate the cost of flying, mitigate capacity shortfalls and create sufficient rates of return.<ref name="ACI – Airport Council International – The Voice of the Worlds Airports" />

=== Security ===
ACI has formulated policy positions on security issues which guide the organization and member airports.<ref name="ACI – Airport Council International – The Voice of the Worlds Airports" />

=== IT ===
All of the ACI World IT initiatives are coordinated through the ACI World Airport IT Standing Committee, constituted by people from airports and business partners and aims to reformulate recommended practices and develop guidelines, benchmarking and training materials.<ref name="ACI – Airport Council International – The Voice of the Worlds Airports" />

=== Environment ===
ACI develops initiatives to reduce environmental impacts while supporting economic and social benefits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/About-ACI/Priorities/Environment/ACERT|title=ACERT|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> It created tools to help airports calculate their [[greenhouse gas emissions]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.airport-suppliers.com/supplier-press-release/the-voice-of-the-worlds-airports-10/|title=iwasroute|work=Airport Suppliers|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>

As one of the founding members of the [[Air Transport Action Group]] (ATAG), ACI, along with other trade associations, is part of a coalition of aviation industry experts focusing on sustainable development issues. ATAG defines common positions on issues to make contributions to the industry and governmental consultation processes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atag.org/about-us/what-we-do.html|title=What we do|website=atag.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

=== Facilitation ===
ACI helps airports improve their management or flow of passengers, baggage, cargo and mail by providing a set of best practices together with measuring and benchmarking opportunities provided through the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/About-ACI/Priorities/Facilitation|title=Facilitation|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

=== Airport Slots ===
In 2015, ACI created an Expert Group on Slots (EGS) that proposes a worldwide policy on [[Airport slots|slots]]. The Group wrote a Position Paper to guide ACI's advocacy on this topic and recommend involvement in the development of the [[International Air Transport Association|IATA]] Worldwide Slot Guidelines.

== Programs ==

=== Airport Service Quality (ASQ) ===
ASQ is a worldwide program part of the ACI's Airport Quality Service Initiative that surveys passengers on their day of travel, measuring passengers' view. The program claims to "measure passengers' satisfaction" at the departure and the arrival stages of their journey through airports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/Customer-Experience-ASQ/Homepage|title=ASQ Homepage|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

=== Airport Excellence Program (APEX) ===
ACI first launched the Airports Excellence Program (APEX) in Safety in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.montrealinternational.com/en/news/2014/03/airports-council-international-continues-its-growth-in-montreal/|title=Airports Council International continues its growth in Montréal, the civil aviation world capital – Montreal International|date=2014-03-19|work=Montreal International|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-US}}</ref> The program provides assistance for airports to enhance their level of safety. It is based on airport safety review, which analyzes gaps in airport operation and infrastructure in comparison to [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) standards and safety best practices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-and-ACI-collaborate-to-enhance-safety-standards-at-airports.aspx|title=ICAO and ACI Collaborate to Enhance Safety Standards at Airports|website=icao.int|language=en-us|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> ACI organizes and dispatches an on-site team from ICAO and other airports to identify and remedy safety vulnerabilities through peer reviews, information sharing, training, assistance with implementation of management structures. It covers the setup, implementation and performance of the safety management system in the areas of physical characteristics & pavement management, air rescue and firefighting, wildlife management, apron management, documentation, record keeping, and security management systems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airports.com.na/news/64/airports-council-international-aci-and-airports-excellenceapex-safety-audit-at-hosea-kutako-international-airport/|title=Namibia Airports Company – Airports Council International (ACI) and Airports Excellence(APEX) Safety Audit at Hosea Kutako International Airport|last=omalaetiit.com|first=Omalaeti Technologies, Namibia|website=airports.com.na|language=en|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

In October 2017, ACI launched the APEX in Security Program based on the same principles as APEX in Safety. The program covers Operational Security Management, with assessments being performed by security experts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.airport-business.com/2017/12/aci-world-apex-security/|title=ACI World's APEX in Security {{!}} Airport Business|date=2017-12-04|work=Airport Business|access-date=2018-08-03|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) ===
[[Airport Carbon Accreditation]] was launched as an independent, voluntary program in 2009 after the adoption of a resolution on Climate Change in 2008 at the annual assembly of ACI Europe. Member airports committed to reduce carbon emissions from their operations, with the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral. The programme allowed the assessment and recognition of participating airports' efforts to manage and reduce their {{CO2}} emissions.

Airport Carbon Accreditation has been extended to airports in the Asia-pacific region in 2011, in Africa in 2013, and eventually went global in 2014 with the extension to the regions of North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/about.html|title=Airport Carbon Accreditation – About Airport Carbon Accreditation ?|last=Rebelo|first=Ines|website=airportcarbonaccreditation.org|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

=== Next Experience in Travel and Technologies (NEXTT) ===
In 2017, [[International Air Transport Association|IATA]] and ACI launched the New Experience in Travel and Technologies (NEXTT) initiative for on-ground transport experience, to guide industry investments and help governments improve the regulatory framework. NEXTT investigates how passengers, cargo, baggage and aircraft move through the travel journey with a focus on change in off-airport activities, processing technology, and interactive decision-making.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-10-24-03.aspx|title=IATA – IATA and ACI Launch New Experience in Travel and Technologies (NEXTT)|last=IATA|website=iata.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

=== Human and Wildlife Trafficking ===
Airports Council International expressed airports' commitment to the fight against human trafficking through the approbation of a resolution during the ACI World General Assembly in 2016. The resolution expressed ACI's commitments to promote awareness of human trafficking through media, provide access to training materials and materials for distribution, encourage the incorporation of training into airport staff security awareness programs, and support activities of governments, charities and non-governmental organizations who are involved in the prevention of human trafficking.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/News/Releases/Most-Recent/2016/09/28/Airports-Council-International-expressed-airports-commitment--to-the-fight-against-human-trafficking|title=Airports Council International expressed airports' commitment to the fight against human trafficking|website=aci.aero|date=28 September 2016 |access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

Airports Council International is committed to developing a framework to fight [[wildlife trafficking]] and adopting and encouraging the adoption of a zero tolerance policy regarding [[illegal wildlife trade]]. ACI was one of the parties involved in the signature of the United for Wildlife Task Force Declaration at the Buckingham Palace in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/News/Releases/Most-Recent/2016/09/28/Airports-Council-International-expressed-the-commitment-of-airports--to-join-the-effort-to-stop-the-transportation-of-illegal-wildlife-products-|title=Airports Council International expressed the commitment of airports to join the effort to stop the transportation of illegal wildlife products|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> The organization is dedicated to developing a practical solutions while cooperating with international initiatives such as the Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) partnership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/Services/Member-tools-to-combat-Human-and-Wildlife-Trafficking/Wildlife-Trafficking|title=Wildlife Trafficking {{!}} ACI World|website=aci.aero|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref>

==Regional offices==
* ACI-North America: [[Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C]]. (with [[Canadian Airports Council|a Canadian Division]] satellite office in [[Ottawa]])
*[[Airports Council International Europe|ACI-Europe]]: [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]]
* ACI-Latin America and Caribbean: [[Panama City]], [[Panama]]
* ACI Asia-Pacific: [[Hong Kong]] – encompassing mainland Asia, Australasia, Indonesian Archipelago, the island nations in the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver (Canada), San Francisco (USA) and Hawaii (USA).
* ACI-Africa: [[Casablanca]], Morocco

== Statistics ==
ACI delivers data regarding the aviation industry monthly and annually.

* [[List of busiest airports by passenger traffic]]
* [[List of busiest airports by cargo traffic]]
* [[List of busiest airports by international passenger traffic]]

==Airport Service Quality Awards==
{{Main|List of Airport Service Quality Award winners}}
The ACI gives out the ''Airport Service Quality Awards (ASQ)'', based on passenger satisfaction ratings in the ASQ Survey, which is a global survey based on interviews with passengers on the day of travel. Along with the ''World Airport Awards'' by [[Skytrax]], it is considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the industry.<ref>[http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/visit/worlds-best-airports-773549 "World's best airports announced – Asia dominates"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409094434/http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/visit/worlds-best-airports-773549 |date=9 April 2012 }} ''CNN Go''. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012</ref>

The awards are given out in five categories:
* Best Airport by Region
* Best Airport by Size
* Best Regional Airport
* Best Improvement

===Best Airport Worldwide===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! 1st !! 2nd !! 3rd
|-
| 2006<ref>{{cite web|title=ASQ Award Winners 2006|url=http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Past-Winners/2006|publisher=ACI|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>|| {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Incheon International Airport]] || {{flagicon|HKG}} [[Hong Kong International Airport]] || {{flagicon|MYS}} [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]]
|-
| 2007<ref>{{cite web|title=ASQ Award Winners 2007|url=http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Past-Winners/2007|publisher=ACI|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>|| {{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport || {{flagicon|MYS}} Kuala Lumpur International Airport || {{flagicon|SIN}} [[Singapore Changi Airport]]
|-
| 2008<ref>{{cite web|title=ASQ Award Winners 2008|url=http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Past-Winners/2008|publisher=ACI|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>|| {{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport || {{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport || {{flagicon|HKG}} Hong Kong International Airport
|-
| 2009<ref>{{cite web|title=ASQ Award Winners 2009|url=http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Past-Winners/2009|publisher=ACI|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref>|| {{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport || {{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport || {{flagicon|HKG}} Hong Kong International Airport
|-
| 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=ASQ Award Winners 2010|url=http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Past-Winners/2010|publisher=ACI|access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> || {{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport || {{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport || {{flagicon|HKG}} Hong Kong International Airport
|-
| 2011<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Past-Winners/2011|title = ASQ Award Winners 2011|access-date = 14 February 2015|publisher = ACI}}</ref>|| {{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport || {{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport || {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Beijing Capital International Airport]]
|-
|2012<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2012 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-100-airports-2012/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|HKG}} Hong Kong International Airport
|-
|2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2013 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-100-airports-2013/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]]
|-
|2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2014 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-100-airports-2014/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|{{flagicon|DEU}} [[Munich Airport]]
|-
|2015<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2015 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-100-airports-2015/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|{{flagicon|DEU}} Munich Airport
|-
|2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2016 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-100-airports-2016/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|{{flagicon|DEU}} Munich Airport
|-
|2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2017 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/the-worlds-top-100-airports-2017/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|JAP}} [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo Haneda Airport]]
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|-
|2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2018 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-top-100-airports-2018/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|{{flagicon|JAP}} Tokyo Haneda Airport
|-
|2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2019 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-top-100-airports-2019/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|JAP}} Tokyo Haneda Airport
|{{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon International Airport
|-
|2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World's Top 100 Airports of 2020 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-top-100-airports-2020/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|{{flagicon|JAP}} Tokyo Haneda Airport
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Hamad International Airport]]
|-
|2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2021 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-top-100-airports-2021/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Hamad International Airport
|{{flagicon|JAP}} Tokyo Haneda Airport
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|-
|2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Top 100 Airports 2022 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-top-100-airports-2022/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=SKYTRAX |language=en}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Hamad International Airport
|{{flagicon|JAP}} Tokyo Haneda Airport
|{{flagicon|SIN}} Singapore Changi Airport
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.aci.aero/ Airports Council International homepage]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Organizations established in 1991]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Aviation trade associations]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Montreal]]
[[Category:International aviation organizations]]
[[Category:International trade associations]]
[[Category:International organizations based in Canada]]

Airports Council International - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 15:56, 28 August 2023