Airports Council International (ACI) World’s Annual General Assembly has approved its new World Governing Board Chair and Vice Chair at its meeting on 24 November in Cancun, Mexico.
Sheik Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports Management Company, was approved as Chair and will begin his two-year term on 1 January 2022, succeeding Martin Eurnekian, CEO of Corporación América Airports and President of Aeropuertos Argentina 2000. Sheik Al Hosni has been ACI World Vice Chair since December 2018.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the ACI General Assembly and the Board members for their trust. It is my honour and privilege to be representing the Council and the aviation sector on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman,” said Sheik al Hosni. “This responsibility extends the Sultanate’s role in supporting the Council through its membership in the previous years.
“We are looking forward to working with the members of the Council in strengthening the cooperation between airports, international aviation organizations and business partners in finding innovative ways to enhance the efficiency in the aviation sector.
“We are aware that COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on the aviation industry and our day-to-day business. We are working to establish additional projects and initiatives to restore our growth to pre-pandemic levels. Currently, we are facilitating travel procedures and ensuring a smooth and safe journey for passengers in accordance with COVID-19 travel protocols for all destinations. In addition, taking the necessary preventative measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers, aircrews and airport employees.”
The Annual General Assembly also approved Ms. Candace S. McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, to succeed Sheik Al Hosni as Vice Chair on 1 January 2022, also for a two-year term, and thereafter expected to be appointed as Chair. Ms. McGraw is currently ACI World’s Treasurer and has been an active member of the ACI World Governing Board since 2018.
“I am honored to be elected Vice Chair of ACI World,” said Ms. McGraw. “As the aviation industry continues recovering from the pandemic, ACI’s role to be the global voice for airports has never been more important. I look forward to serving and working alongside the board and staff to assist airports in fulfilling their mission of facilitating safe and efficient travel.”
“I would like to congratulate and welcome both Aimen Al Hosni and Candace McGraw as ACI World’s new Chair and Vice Chair,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira. “They are prominent and successful industry figures, and we are fortunate to have their leadership. The World Governing Board and the global airport community will benefit greatly from their valuable experience and acumen as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Each year the Assembly considers Resolutions on key subjects for airport operators that reflect the concerns and interests of ACI members. This year, the Assembly unanimously adopted Resolutions that:
- Support airports for industry alignment on health and hygiene measures; and encourage airports to gather feedback from passengers to improve travellers’ confidence and experience
- Promote sustainable development of the aviation ecosystem
- Seek to modernize global policy frameworks on airport charges – pricing for the benefit of the traveling public and the efficient use of infrastructure
Collectively, the Resolutions put a robust focus on helping airports recover sustainably from the impact of the pandemic. They will also support ACI’s position at ICAO’s 41st triennial Assembly in September 2022, and contribute to its success in representing its members’ interests worldwide.
“On behalf of ACI, I would like to thank our member airports for providing a strong collective response to, and a commitment to act on, the pressing issues represented in ACI World’s Resolutions,” said de Oliveira. “As the only organization that can bring airports together—large and small, from all regions—to agree strong measures to address the critical issues that affect us all, we will continue to provide a coordinated and collaborative approach to our long-term sustainable recovery.”
