New ICAO/ACI training pact to heighten airport safety

ICAO, a specialized agency of the UN, and the Airports Council International (ACI) World have signed an agreement to enhance airport training activities related to operations and management, encompassing both organization’s safety, security, and sustainability provisions.

The new ICAO-ACI agreement, signed by signed by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar and Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General at ACI, supports the effective implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and ACI best practices.

The agreement establishes a dual ICAO-ACI recognition process for training organizations that are either the training arms of airports, or that have the delivery of airport operations and management training as their primary mandate.

Organizations achieving this dual recognition will gain access to a strong framework enabling them to strengthen organizational development of staff, and ultimately improving the competencies of airport professionals. Recognized training organizations will also be able to expand their offering of training courses to their local and global airport networks and gain access to quality training solutions geared specifically to their needs.

“Implemented under the umbrella of the ICAO Trainair Plus Programme (TPP), this dual recognition aims to ensure that training organizations are up to date in airport training, while promoting the delivery of courses using the latest technologies available and in accordance with airport best practices,” remarked Secretary General Salazar.

“This latest training initiative between ACI World and ICAO demonstrates our continued joint efforts to offer the highest quality of training through the global network ICAO Trainair Plus members. Such integration of training activities allows for better service to ACI members and ICAO Member States—not only to improve the competencies of airport professionals worldwide, but by working together, we can contribute towards the continuous improvement and development of the entire aviation ecosystem,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira.

This alliance between ICAO and ACI World will also strengthen existing collaborative training programmes, such as the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP) and the Airport Safety Professional (ASP) designation, which promote airport excellence in the industry.