Airports Council International (ACI) is an organization of airport authorities aimed at uniting industry practices for airport standards. Established in 1991, its headquarters (ACI World) are based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and its members operate nearly 2000 airports.
Major programs include safety enhancement (APEX) and Airport Service Quality Awards (ASQ), based on passenger satisfaction ratings. Other initiatives cover economics, operational security, 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.
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.
In 2011, ACI relocated its headquarters from Geneva, Switzerland, to 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 (IATA), also located in the same city.
In 2016, airports worldwide welcomed 7.7 billion arriving and departing passengers and handled 110 million metric tonnes of cargo and 92 million aircraft movements.
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 ICAO, develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training.
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. It is involved in airport design specifications, standard operating procedures for airports, technology, systems & equipment, safety management systems for airports, safety guidance material and training.
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.
Security
ACI has formulated policy positions on security issues which guide the organization and member 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.
Environment
ACI develops initiatives to reduce environmental impacts while supporting economic and social benefits. It created tools to help airports calculate their greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
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.