ISSUE 25 // AUGUST 2020
SECURITY EXPERTS CONVENE VIRTUALLY TO DISCUSS SECURITY OPERATIONS RESTART
SAFETY Lack of Reporting Culture Poses Major Challenge in Wildlife Hazard Management • ICAO Welcomes ACI Guidelines on Operations Recovery from COVID 19 • Implementation of Global Reporting Format Postponed to 2021 due to Pandemic
SECURITY AND FACILITATION Security Experts Convene Virtually to Discuss Security Operations Restart • COVID-19 Task Force Continues to Assist Airports Through the Health Crisis
ECONOMICS Regional Economics Committee Finalizes Study on Airport Charges • Virtual Regional Economics Committee Launches New Initiatives • ACI Asia-Pacific Advocates for Conditions to be Imposed on Slot Waivers for Winter 2020 Season • COVID-19 Traffic Update
ENVIRONMENT Recognized Airports Announced on World Environment Day • Theme Selected for 2021 Green Airports Recognition • Region Consulted in Long-Term Carbon Goal Study • Applying Circular Economy Concept to Waste Management • Waste Management Guidance for COVID-19 Published • Wildlife Trafficking Webinar • Airport Carbon Accreditation Updates
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Health Measures API Portal Prepares for Launch AIRPORT CORNER A New Way of Travel at Changi Airport
Lack of Reporting Culture Poses Major Challenge in Wildlife Hazard Management
Airports have an important role to play in assisting states and other industry partners in the prevention of bird strikes. The ACI 2017 airport safety annual report states that worldwide the average chance of an aircraft inflight or moving at an airport being struck by animals, mostly (95%) birds, is 0.06%. This percentage may seem insignificant but 41% of these strikes occur during aircraft landings and takeoffs. The ICAO Asia/Pacific Wildlife Hazard Management Working Group (WHM WG/2) was established to help states establish a National Wildlife Hazard Management Committee and an Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Programme. In the recent second, virtual meeting of the Working Group, ACI Asia-Pacific presented a paper on wildlife hazard management challenges faced by airports. ACI Asia-Pacific identified difficulty in collecting data bird strike statistics as the key challenge. This is predominantly caused by the lack of a positive safety culture. Airport employees are reluctant to report on wildlife strikes, often for fear of reprisal from management. Other challenges include the 2 | The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports
absence of a proper wildlife hazard management plan and lack of resources. Suggestions made to address these issues include joint ACI/ ICAO seminars on practical issues and theories on wildlife hazard management. ACI Asia-Pacific also suggested the continued promotion of a positive safety culture amongst state regulators and airport management. With the current challenges of organising inperson events, ACI Asia-Pacific encourages online training as an inexpensive alternative. ACI offers an online wildlife hazard management course. The materials from the Wildlife Hazard Management Working Group (WHM WG/2) are available to view here.
ICAO Welcomes ACI Guidelines on Operations Recovery from COVID 19 The Regional Office presented the Aviation Operations During COVID-19 Business Restart and Recovery guidelines at the Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Team (APRAST/15) meeting, organised by ICAO. It was well received. At ICAO’s suggestion, the document will also be presented to the ICAO Aerodromes Operations and Planning Sub-Group (AOP SG/4) in November. The meeting documents of the Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Team (APRAST/15) are available to view here.
Implementation of Global Reporting Format Postponed to 2021 due to Pandemic
The current pandemic has stalled many training activities, including preparations for the implementation of the new Global Reporting Format. To alleviate our airport members, ACI Asia-Pacific requested and ICAO concurred to postpone the implementation of the Global Reporting Format from 5 November 2020 to 4 November 2021. For more information on any of the topics mentioned in this section, please contact Mr. SL Wong, Head of Technical Affairs, Safety, Capacity and ATM at sl@aci-asiapac.aero. The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports | 3
Security & Facilitation
Security Experts Convene Virtually to Discuss Security Operations Restart
As traffic starts to resume, one of the key priorities for airport operators is ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff, passengers and the public while they are at the airport. The security checkpoint is one area where close interaction between passengers and staff occurs. The challenge facing airport operators is minimizing the risk of transmission at the security checkpoint, while maintaining the highest level of security at all times. In this regard, ACI has been emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach towards aviation security and public health in the restart and recovery phase. In a conference call with 26 participants from airport members and security service providers from the region, the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation Security Committee (RASC) shared experiences and best practices on maintaining security operations in light of the pandemic. Major issues discussed included the incorporation of health measures into the existing security checkpoint operations and impact on the adjustment to 4 | The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports
security screening procedures, such as hand search and explosive trace detection (ETD) screening. Going forward, the RASC will continue monitoring the pandemic’s impact on security operations and share operational best practices on a regular basis.
COVID-19 Task Force Continues to Assist Airports Through the Health Crisis Since its establishment this March, the ACI Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Task Force has produced a number of guidance documents facilitating timely exchange of operational knowledge during this time of crisis. The most recent document published by the Task Force in midJuly is the Analysis of Public Health Measures for Protecting Passengers and Rebuilding Confidence. The document provides detailed analysis of some of the airport public health measures recommended by the ICAO CART Take-off guidance, and helps airports decide which measures are the most appropriate in their local context. Apart from producing guidance documents, the Task Force also carried out a survey in June on the preventive measures that airports have implemented and their impact on airport operations. The survey found that majority of the surveyed airports have already implemented most, if not all, of the recommended health measures set out by the ICAO CART report. The summary the survey results, which now include responses from 28 airport operators, can be viewed here. Despite airports in general being ready for the restart, the blanket travel restrictions and quarantine requirements still imposed by many states around the world, remain the biggest obstacles for restarting international aviation. ACI believes that states should progressively re-open borders based on risk assessment when the epidemiological situation allows. In this regard, the COVID-19 Task Force plays an important role in the progressive restart and recovery of the industry.
For more information on any of the topics mentioned in this section, please contact Mr. Gary Leung, Manager, Security and Facilitation, at gary@aci-asiapac.aero. The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports | 5
Regional Economics Committee Finalizes Study on Airport Charges In the second quarter, the Regional Economics Committee finalized a regional study analyzing airport charges and airfares. The study is a response to advocacy efforts by airlines around the world calling on governments to step up regulation on airport charges, claiming that airports have monopoly power resulting in higher airport charges. Key findings of the study include: • • •
Airport charges represent a relatively small share of airlines’ costs Airport charges have been mostly flat or decreasing over the past decade Airport charges play a relatively small role in determining the price of an air ticket
The data in the study was collected in 2018/2019 and the findings are reflective of the market and competitive dynamics before the advent of COVID-19. The aviation industry is currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis where recovery is slower than originally expected. Recent resurgences of COVID-19 cases in multiple markets in Asia-Pacific are of increasing concern leading to heightened risk that industry recovery to 2019 traffic levels may be delayed to 2024. Airlines around the world are being aggressive in asking airports to forego charges as evident in their active lobbying efforts. The findings of this study are timely, as they help provide the proper context for the airport charges discussions before policy-makers and serve as discussion tools for ACI and members. A copy of the report is available on request.
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Virtual Regional Economics Committee Launches New Initiatives Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Economics Committee met online for the first time on 9 July. Members discussed and shared experiences of implementing public health measures, and shared anticipated challenges for the industry to prepare for restart in air travel. The Committee also brainstormed ideas for longer term projects to be undertaken after the COVID-19 recovery situation stabilizes. The Committee launched two initiatives:
FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES A working group was established to assess whether the health measures implemented at airports will constitute a significant cost
burden on airports and thus require advocacy efforts before governments to call for financial assistance/ support. The group concluded its work in early August, found that financial estimates do not point to a significant cost burden to airports at the current capacity level. The Committee will continue to monitor the situation.
PRIVATE PARTICIPATION/ REVIEW OF CONCESSION FRAMEWORK In anticipation of the funding need and expected increase of private sector participation in airport development post COVID-19, a new working group will be formed to review privatization policy and concession framework of airports. The work of this group will commence in Fall 2020.
ACI Asia-Pacific Advocates for Conditions to be Imposed on Slot Waivers for Winter 2020 Season The ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Task Force on Slot Allocation actively engaged in slots-related discussions both at global and regional level. As the COVID-19 recovery path appears slower than expected, airlines globally have been aggressively lobbying since late May for a blanket waiver of the 80/20 usage requirements for the Winter 2020 Season (“NW20”, from October 2020 to March 2021). Within the airport community, slot matters are guided by the ACI Expert Group on Slots (EGS) in which airports from all ACI regions are represented. After several rounds of intensive negotiations with both IATA and the Worldwide Airport Coordinators Group in June, a joint industry position was not reached. In June, ACI World conducted a webinar reaching out to regulators and the airport community to explain how airport slot allocation policies can support the recovery of the aviation industry. The webinar recording can be accessed here. In addition, ACI Asia-Pacific launched a regional campaign in July and issued letters to 11 States
Access
advocating for the ACI position that any waiver granted for NW 20 should include the following conditions in principle: • • •
Airlines must return unused slots to the pool as soon as possible, but not later than four weeks prior to the date of operation; The waiver will not apply to a series of slots of an airline that permanently ceases operations at an airport; The waiver should not apply to series of slots newly allocated from the pool for the NW20 season.
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COVID-19 Traffic Update
Data collected from 33 airports including 29 from Asia-Pacific and 4 from Middle East covering approximately 30% of traffic in both regions combined.
ACI Asia-Pacific continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on traffic and connectivity. Weekly trending of passenger volume up to early August for both Asia-Pacific and Middle East indicated a slow recovery pace that was highly sensitive to resurgences of COVID-19 cases. In aggregate, year-on-year decline passenger volume for week 31 (week ending 2 August) was at -79%. Some signs of recovery were observed in selected markets (e.g. China and South Korea) driven
primarily by resumption of domestic traffic at varying pace.
To learn more about the findings or participate in this weekly traffic tracking initiative, please contact Mr. Philip Kwok, Economic Research Analyst, at philip@aci-asiapac.aero.
For more information on any of the topics mentioned in this section, please contact Ms. Suzanne Tong, Senior Manager, Economics and Statistics, at suzanne@aci-asiapac.aero. 8 | The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports
Recognized Airports Announced on World Environment Day The Regional Office announced on 5 June, World Environment Day, the results of the annual ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition (GAR) 2020. This year, sixteen eligible submissions were received from member airports, which showcased innovative best practices for wastewater treatment, water harvesting, water recycling and water reduction.
The summary of best practices from GAR 2020 can be downloaded here.
ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2020
Water Management
After collective assessment with eight relevant criteria, the panel of judges recognised the following airports:
OVER 35 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM: • • •
Platinum – Taoyuan International Airport Gold – Indira Gandhi International Airport Silver – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
BETWEEN 15 TO 35 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM: • • •
Platinum – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Gold – Muscat International Airport Silver – Kempegowda International Airport
LESS THAN 15 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM: • • •
Platinum – Kaohsiung International Airport Gold – Adelaide Airport Silver – Sharjah Airport
The recognition’s objective is to promote environmental best practices to minimize aviation’s impact on the environment and to recognize the region’s airport members who have outstanding accomplishments in their environmental projects. Water Management was chosen as the GAR 2020 theme to showcase projects that foster water conservation and prevention of water pollution. We are proud to announce that seven submissions have since been nominated for inclusion in the ICAO Eco-Airport Toolkit e-collection for broader best practices sharing. The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports | 9
Theme Selected for 2021 Green Airports Recognition
The ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Environment Committee has selected Air Quality Management as the theme of Green Airports Recognition 2021. The submissions should emphasise local air
quality benefit rather than indoor air quality. Further details will be announced in October.
Region Consulted in Long-Term Carbon Goal Study In response to the Paris Agreement and IPCC report of 2018 urging all sectors to reach ‘net zero emission’ around 2050, it is crucial for airports to lead and develop an action plan on how the aviation industry can reach net zero carbon and continue creating economic and societal value. The ACI World Governing Board approved and commissioned a Long-Term Carbon Goal (LTCG) study with the aim to determine airports CO2 emission reduction pathways and goal by 2050
as a sector. The study has continued despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19. ACI Asia-Pacific arranged two webinars intended to provide updates and progress of this study in two webinars targeting members’ environmental and sustainability experts in the Asia-Pacific region. The coming months will be critical for the study team to engage with airports via survey, airports emission data enquiries and CEO interviews.
Applying Circular Economy Concept to Waste Management The concept of the circular economy provides interesting opportunities for airports. Taking waste management as an example, a circular economic model can minimize the use of primary materials, avoid waste disposal and reduce CO2 emissions which are more typically seen in the traditional linear economy which focuses on make, use and dispose. In a circular economy, products designs already incorporate intentions for reuse, repair, disassembly, refurbishment, remanufacture and/or recycling. To help members understand more about this approach, ACI Asia-Pacific arranged a webinar titled “Circular Economy for Asia-Pacific Airports’ with a guest speaker from Circular Economy Asia. The webinar attracted 30 attendees from 10 | The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports
18 airport members. The webinar was well received with constructive discussion on how airports can apply this concept in their waste management efforts, procurement process and supply-chain requirements to improve airports’
sustainability portfolios. The presentation slides are available on request.
Waste Management Guidance for COVID-19 Published Under the COVID-19 pandemic, airports are faced with additional waste created by personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment. This makes waste an environmental concern created by COVID-19. ACI-World issued a guidance document summarizing the practices and recommendations from different regions airports and experts for taking measures in minimizing the risk of spread of COVID-19.
Wildlife Trafficking Webinar Illegal wildlife trafficking is the world’s fourth highest-ranked international crime, estimated to be worth between US$7-US$23 billion a year. It involves importing, exporting and reexporting wild animals and plant resources. Wildlife trafficking creates risks to the aviation industry and society, including health and safety to passengers and airport staff, negative press and economic loss for nature-based tourism. As illegal wildlife trafficking directly affects the global transportation system, it requires concerted efforts from all aviation stakeholders to mitigate. To raise awareness on this issue in the region, ACI Asia-Pacific invited members to participate in a webinar organized by ACI World and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) titled “Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES)”. Joint global efforts in transport sectors to combat Illegal wildlife trafficking were reviewed, including ways to raise awareness and train airport staff.
As part of the efforts to raise airport stakeholders’ awareness, ACI joined forces with TRAFFIC, a leading NGO working globally on trade in wild animals and plants, to publish two videos for training airport staff on wildlife trafficking issues. With the support from the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Environment Committee, the videos are also available with Chinese and Arabic subtitles.
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Airport Carbon Accreditation Updates Congratulations to Sharjah International Airport for reaching Level 3+ Neutrality! LEVEL 3+, NEUTRALITY • • • •
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India Indira Gandhi International Airport, India Kempegowda International Airport, India Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan
• • •
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, India Sharjah Airport, United Arab Emirates Sunshine Coast Airport, Australia
LEVEL 3, OPTIMISATION • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates Adelaide Airport, Australia Brisbane International Airport, Australia Chiang Mai International Airport, Thailand Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates Dubai World Central, United Arab Emirates Hamad International Airport, Qatar Hat Yai International Airport, Thailand Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong SAR Incheon Airport, Republic of Korea Kansai International Airport, Japan Kaohsiung International Airport, Chinese Taipei
• • • • • • • • • •
Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, Thailand Nadi International Airport, Fiji Narita International Airport, Japan Osaka International Airport, Japan Parafield Airport, Australia Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand Sydney Airport, Australia Taoyuan International Airport, Chinese Taipei
LEVEL 2, REDUCTION • • • • • • • • • • •
Aéroport International de Noumea-La Tontouta, New Caledonia Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Biju Patnaik International Airport Bhubaneswar, India Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, China Christchurch Airport, New Zealand Gold Coast Airport, Australia Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China Hobart International Airport, Australia Kobe Airport, Japan Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport Varanasi, India Longreach Airport, Australia
LEVEL 1, MAPPING • • • • •
Hawke’s Bay Airport, New Zealand Longreach Airport, Australia Muscat International Airport, Oman Palmerston North Airport, New Zealand Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia
• • • • • • • • • •
• • •
Macau International Airport, Macau SAR Melbourne Airport, Australia Mount Isa Airport, Australia Muscat International Airport, Oman Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport Kolkata, India Perth Airport, Australia Salalah Airport, Oman Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, China Townsville Airport, Australia Trivandrum International Airport, India
Siem Reap International Airport, Cambodia Sihanoukville International Airport, Cambodia Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, China
For more information on any of the topics mentioned in this section, please contact Mr. Ken Lau, Senior Manager, Environment and Airport Information Technology at ken@aci-asiapac.aero. 12 | The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports
Health Measures API Portal Prepares for Launch ACI World has created a platform for airports to publish their health measures to the travelling community. This is a vital initiative to build community confidence as our sector restarts operations. The ACI World Airport IT Standing Committee (WAITSC) developed the Airport Health Measures Application Programming Interfaces (API) to facilitate the access to airports’ health measures information.
complete this questionnaire so that airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are appropriately represented.
Based on the ACI Aviation Community Recommended Information Services (ACRIS) standard, this API will publish data solicited from more than 2,500 airports worldwide. This is a great platform to communicate airports’ COVID-19 measures, requirements and services to reduce confusion, create performance baselines and build confidence. The Check & Fly app allows global online access to airport health information through website and mobile apps based on a health portal questionnaire. Airports are encouraged to
For more information on any of the topics mentioned in this section, please contact Mr. Ken Lau, Senior Manager, Environment and Airport Information Technology at ken@aci-asiapac.aero. The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports | 13
Airport Corner A New Way of Travel at Changi Airport The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted global air travel significantly. When air travel gradually resumes, passengers will expect airports to deliver the highest standards of safety and hygiene to give them peace of mind during their journey. As part of Changi Airport’s continuous commitment to passenger health and a positive
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airport experience, the airport has begun transforming the passenger experience with new contactless and cleaning innovations for a safer and seamless airport journey.
• • •
Read full media release on Changi’s contactless initiatives Watch video on Changi’s contactless initiatives Watch video on Changi’s transit holding areas
Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services.
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The Voice of Asia-Pacific Airports
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