ACI Asia and Pacific Regions to Merge

Hong Kong– Airports Council International announced today that its two top-growing regions ACI-Asia and ACI-Pacific will merge, thus creating the largest geographical grouping in the organisation. The new entity will comprise 478 airports that span the Middle East, former CIS States, the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, Northeast and Southeast Asia, Oceania, the Pacific Islands, Hawaii and will also include two key North American cities, Vancouver and San Francisco. In 2005, these airports handled 980 million passengers, 28 million tonnes of cargo and 9 million aircraft movements.

The current ACI-Pacific Region President, and CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong, Dr David J Pang emphasises the high growth potential in the region, “Even though these two regions only account for 25% of airports worldwide, they represent 60% of world population. Emerging markets such as India and China will provide persistent growth momentum for the airport business.”

Mr Max Moore-Wilton, Executive Director of Macquarie Bank and Chairman of Macquarie Airports, has been elected by the 16th Asia Pacific Regional Assembly to serve as President for the new ACI-Asia Pacific Region when the merger is completed. He plans to further enhance cooperation so as to provide even better and more efficient service in the integrated region.

“The merger will facilitate sharing resources, new technology and management experience across the region, further cementing the airport’s role as an engine of economic growth,” says Moore-Wilton.

Catering to the robust growth of demand for air traffic, new airports have been planned and many existing airports have targeted new development and expansion plans.

Director General of ACI Robert J Aaronson says, "We must recognise that the Asia Pacific region is facing tremendous growth in the air transport sector, and governments need to approve new infrastructure projects on a fast-track basis. At the same time, capacity needs to be added in a cost efficient and environmentally sound manner. Market access liberalisation, which will open up new international routes, is part of the solution. The new organisation will enable airports to work more effectively together as they build a strong future for aviation in this dynamic region.”