Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific made a resolution to promote, restore and develop air connectivity in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to ensure social and economic development as well as support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The resolution was passed at the 18th Regional Assembly in Kobe, Japan.
The resolution emphasises the importance of fully restoring and further developing air connectivity in the region, recognising the essential role that airports can play in driving economic growth and social development.
The Council observed that the airports in Middle East have recovered much faster from the pandemic impact as compared to Asia-Pacific region.
Based on the preliminary findings, conducted with the assistance of PwC, medium/large airports in Asia-Pacific region, more largely dependent on international traffic, faced a 42% reduction in the connectivity index by August 2022, compared to a 17% reduction reported at small airports which benefited from a more resilient domestic traffic. The Middle East airports, on the other hand, have recovered much faster, with a 19% increase in connectivity at large/medium airports and 5% increase at small airports.
Emmanuel Menanteau, President, ACI Asia-Pacific, said: “Restoring air connectivity in the Asia-Pacific and development of more routes in the Middle East is essential to support the recovery of their economies. This resolution reaffirms the commitment of the airport community of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to work together with national and regional authorities in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner for the benefit of passengers as well as local communities served by the airports.”
“Asia-Pacific is resurging after three complex years. Modernising the sector means critically assessing what can be done differently and better thorough a close dialogue between institutional and industry stakeholders,” said Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific. “Following the model of the first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement between the EU and the ASEAN States and the recent Summit between India and the EU, we call upon States to implement a more liberalised market and strengthen cooperation and harmonisation on safety, security, environmental protection and ATM optimisation.”
The council has also encouraged the airport operators to open a new dialogue with authorities and industry stakeholders to modernise the sector.