APA Issue 1, 2021
VIEW FROM THE TOP Director general, Stefano Baronci, reflects on how ACI Asia-Pacific has stepped up its efforts to support its airport members and World Business Partners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
W
hisper it softly, but with the global roll out of COVID-19 vaccines gathering pace, there are finally reasons to believe that the end of the pandemic could be in sight, and that by the second half of the year, aviation could start to look to the future again with renewed optimism. There is no disputing that 2020 was the toughest year ever for the world’s airports, and while we were all glad to leave it behind us, we have taken the time to compile our annual Year in Review publication documenting our efforts in support of the region’s airports in the face of a global pandemic. The publication is available on our website. You can be assured that the ACI Asia-Pacific team remains focused on understanding the continually evolving situation around the region and developing relevant positions to support advocacy work for our members.
REGIONAL BOARD MEETING
We have just concluded the 16th ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, which due to the current travel
6
restrictions, was once again held in a virtual format. It is, sadly, a scenario we have all become very used to over the last 12 months, but was nonetheless very productive. I am pleased to announce that the leaders of Airport International Group (Jordan); Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Ltd (Chinese Taipei); Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (Malaysia); Airports Corporation of Vietnam (Vietnam); and Delhi International Airport Ltd (India) have come onboard as new Board Directors. We are delighted to welcome them and have such knowledgeable leaders on our Regional Board and look forward to their insights in shaping the recovery and activities of our association. We also welcome new members Albury Airport in Australia; Papa Rererangi i Puketapu Limited – the operator of New Plymouth Airport in New Zealand – and Dammam Airports Company in Saudi Arabia as new members. Their addition means that we now have a total of 120 members operating 606 airports in 49 countries and territories.
