APA Issue 3, 2021
VIEW FROM THE TOP Director General, Stefano Baronci, reflects on the importance of air travel and some key priorities and initiatives planned by ACI Asia-Pacific for the remainder of 2021.
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fter 20 months of virtual calls, I finally got to meet the director generals of ACI’s other regions in person again this summer after flying to Rome for a meeting. It was great to fly again and even better to see everyone for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Since the meeting was held in Rome, I also took the opportunity to visit my family in Italy. Like so many of you, I haven’t seen my loved ones since COVID turned our world upside down in early 2020. The whole experience, despite being so common for frequent travellers like us, reminded me of how essential travelling and meeting people in person is to open minds and exchange knowledge. The trip was also an opportunity to experience a special health protocol – the so-called ‘COVID-tested’ flight from Dubai to Rome – where I didn’t have to quarantine in the country of destination. I am proud to say that our association facilitated the implementation of this protocol through engagement, among others, with Dubai Airports and Aeroporti di Roma.
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However, the way back was not without complications. The trip was fraught with new and changing regulations and ended with a hotel quarantine stay, a pandemic-prevention measure applied by more than 75% of the airports recently surveyed in our region. SEPTEMBER SECURITY MONTH Looking ahead to the rest of the year, we want to highlight one of the top priorities in airport operations: security. Over the past decades, the landscape of aviation security has constantly changed with new security threats emerging and new, additional security measures being introduced. Indeed, the COVID-19 health crisis has brought new security challenges to the industry. To raise awareness of the role and importance of airport security among the broader airport community and travelling public, ACI Asia-Pacific is launching September Security Month. Throughout the month, we will feature insights from ICAO, airport members and World Business Partners outlining different security topics, challenges and solutions. Ultimately, we want to stress the message that security is everybody’s responsibility.
