Muscat – The World Governing Board of Airports Council International (ACI) convened a series of meetings over two days starting on Saturday in Muscat with the participation of 27 CEOs representing the board. Several prominent figures of the aviation sector have been invited to the event.

The meetings – held at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel – are being chaired by Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports, and chairman of the ACI World Governing Board, to discuss and approve ACI’s work plan, and ways to enhance cooperation between airports, international aviation organisations, and various strategic partners around the world.

The meetings’ outcomes will aim of find innovative ways to enhance efficiency in the airports and aviation sector, develop environmental and economically sustainable projects, and address other challenges that directly affect the airports and civil aviation sector worldwide.

Hosni expressed his happiness in welcoming the leaders of the airports sector from around the world, representing all five continents, to Oman. “We are inaugurating the first meetings of the new phase of the ACI World Governing Board in Muscat, which is the historical axis between East and West, and the meeting point of all opinions and views, so welcome to you all in the Sultanate of Oman.”

Hosni added, “These meetings constitutes the first stage of a roadmap for ACI’s work for the upcoming two years. The sector is on its way to recovery after the pandemic which has left airports and the aviation sector all over the world in a difficult state. We are pleased that Muscat has been chosen for this, the 65th meeting of the ACI World Governing Board, which comes while the sector breathes a sigh of relief marking a great beginning. We hope that the positive vibes will continue for the stability of the sector and its people.”

Addressing the gathering on Saturday, Luis Felipe, director general of ACI World, said, “We are happy to start our meetings in Muscat. As we see the recovery gather pace around the world, with the opening up of markets and increase in traffic, we need to chart a course for the future. There will be new challenges. By opening markets, and by encouraging and supporting the entire aviation ecosystem, we are able to create new jobs and new opportunities for the entire community.”

“I am pleased to be here in Muscat and to work with our World Governing Board that has come from around the world to be here on developing a way forward on a wide range of issues. I am also delighted that Sheikh Aimen has taken up this important role. He has the experience and commitment to steer us through the difficult times ahead.”

On Saturday, the CEOs of many of the world’s leading airports held a meeting on the sidelines of the ACI meetings, during which they discussed solutions to confront emerging challenges, especially after the devastating impacts of the coronavirus crisis, and the circumstances that accompanied the suspension of international travel, which was one of the most difficult periods that the world’s airports, and the global travel sector faced.

The CEOs, heads and members of the working committees of ACI stressed the importance of working together to find international consensus in cooperation with other international and governmental organisations to address the challenges and make the sector more cohesive than before.

The Audit Committee of ACI held its 28th meeting, during which several issues were discussed with the aim of restoring growth and stability after COVID-19 crisis.

As of January 2022, ACI serves 717 members, operating 1,950 airports in 185 countries. In 2020, close to 55 per cent of all employment in the aviation sector was at airports and, according to ACI’s Annual World Airport Traffic Report, airports worldwide welcomed 3.6bn arriving and departing passengers, handled 108.5mn metric tonnes of cargo and 61.8mn aircraft movements.