São Paulo – The Airports Council International (ACI), an association that comprises airport management companies from around the world, announced this Tuesday (31st) that it will promote the 21st session of its General Assembly in Marrakesh, Morocco, from October 31st to November 2nd this year. The meeting will be held in parallel with the conference of the ACI’s African division.
The theme of the meeting, according to the ACI, will be “Forward to Basics – How resilient is your business?” The organization informs that the theme was chosen because the aviation industry is going through a “transition” period, marked by stagnation and brought about by the international financial crisis, and entering a new phase of growth.
According to the organization, economic issues, security and the services provided to passengers will be discussed. In two seminars, more in-depth analyses will be made of the preparedness of airports for eventual emergencies and the earning of revenues from services not directly linked to aviation, such as the rental of stores, for instance.
The conference will take place at a time in which Brazil is discussing its airport management model, currently centered on the state-owned Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (Infraero), which is linked to the ACI. The decisions already made by the government include the concession for the private initiative, of the building and operation of terminals.
On the sidelines of the assembly, a fair will take place featuring 40 exhibitors that will showcase their products and services, according to the ACI. The conference is expected to be attended by 500 delegates.
The event will be hosted by the Office National Des Aéroport Moroccan (Onda), the country’s national airport office. According to the ACI, the state-owned Moroccan organization is in charge of managing airports and controlling aerospace traffic in the country. This means handling 10 million passengers and managing 95,000 landings and takeoffs per year. Morocco is one of the African markets in which aviation grows the most.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
