During its World General Assembly, the Airports Council International (ACI) adopted a resolution supporting aviation industry COVID-19 pandemic recovery, urging best practices for health measures with global and regional guidance.
“ACI, its World Governing Board, and Annual Assembly, are determined to support industry recovery,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “This is a global effort, however, and we must coordinate and collaborate with regulators on the development of health and hygiene measures and new passenger processes to facilitate the return of operations.”
The resolution stems from the ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation program, which the ACI said is supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The ACI maintains that the aviation industry is a catalyst in supporting growth in other industries and essential to social and economic welfare. The industry will serve as a primary global economic recovery driver.
Support initiatives include creating the ICAO-supported Airport Health Accreditation program and developing tools, such as the Check and Fly app, to support the sharing of information regarding the measures in place at airports.
“The aviation ecosystem is facing an existential threat, and the harmonization of procedures will definitely help to rebuild passenger and government confidence in air travel,” de Oliveira said. “Airports around the globe are running out of cash, and support measures must be addressed to guarantee the continuity of essential operations, protect millions of jobs, and preserve precious air connectivity.”