AIRPORT WORLD / FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 15 15
ACI VIEWPOINT
View from the top
ACI director general , Angela Gittens , reflects on restrictive economic regulation and looks forward to ACI ’ s Economics & Finance Conference in Singapore .
In my presentation for The Aviation Industry Leadership Forum at CANSO ’ s World Air Traffic Management Congress in Madrid in February , I underlined the rapid changes made or encountered by other industries such as banking , personal computing , communications and manufacturing .
The continued health and success of the survivors in these industries have squarely rested on their timely responses to disruptive technology and market forces . As Charles Darwin noted in the 19th century , physical survival of a species depends most on the organism ’ s agility in adapting to changes in the external environment .
We have seen that the airport industry is not immune to the basic laws of evolution , yet many airports are hobbled by the kind of economic regulation more suited to utility with a captive audience than an air service competitor in a global marketplace .
On the theme ‘ The Keys to Financial Success for Airport Operators in a Changing Environment ’, ACI ’ s 5th annual Economics and Finance Conference is rooted in charting the way forward for airports to evolve and financially thrive in their partnerships with governments , regulators and investors .
The reality that underlines the conference is the need to develop and finance the expansion of airport infrastructure in light of forecasts that passenger traffic will double by 2030 . This requires co-operation and a reform of government regulations on airport financing , the adoption of modern commercial business practices and successful strategies for airports to attract and retain the interest of the investment community . Solid economics and financials are essential to run successful enterprises . Beyond the role of airports as international gateways for tourism and trade , airports must safeguard their role in their communities as leading employers , engines of socio-economic vitality and drivers of community development .
The topics and speakers at the Economics and Finance Conference have been carefully selected to provide the tools necessary to help airports thrive . It takes place in Singapore this year to reflect the growing significance of the Asian aviation and financial markets , as the region takes its rightful place in the world ’ s economic domain . While planning the Economics and Finance Conference , we also look forward to seeing many of you in Istanbul on June 10-12 for the ACI Europe / World Annual General Assembly , Congress and Exhibition . AW