The 10th ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference & Exhibition was opened today in Amman, Jordan, attracting over 350 senior airport, airline, aviation authority and aviation business executives, representing over 136 organizations from all over the world. The conference, hosted by Airport International Group and organized by ACI Asia-Pacific, is held from April 27 – 29, 2015 in Dead Sea, Jordan.

This year’s conference, themed “Sustaining Aviation and Tourism Growth under Unprecedented Challenges”, will discuss on how the aviation and tourism industry, with a close connection in its nature, unlock potential and achieve growth.

The two-day conference covers a wide range of discussions from airport collaborative decision making; challenges & opportunities in Middle East; maintaining safety and operational efficiency; addressing emerging threats; passenger services; route development and tourism to maximizing airport revenue. Highlight of the conference is on the Leader’s summit to be held tomorrow, with cross-stakeholder discussion focusing on key issues of the future in the face of unpredictable changes.

In welcoming the delegates, Dennis Chant, President, ACI Asia-Pacific said, “On behalf of the ACI Asia-Pacific Region, I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to the host, Airport International Group, for their tremendous effort in hosting and organizing this conference, and the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan for their support and warm hospitality.”

Following the theme of the Conference, he said “Tourism and aviation development go hand in hand, one impacting the other. However, tourism can be very vulnerable and easily affected by the countries’ policies and political stability. Airports in our region understand this intricate relationship between the two industries and the importance in supporting and facilitating international tourism within their own countries.”

2015 also marks the 10th anniversary of the unification of Asia and Pacific regions of ACI. Mr. Chant said, “Since the establishment of the unified Asia-Pacific region, much has changed in the airport industry.  Asia-Pacific has become the major growth engine in the global aviation market; our membership has increased significantly, to almost 100 members operating close to 580 airports in 47 countries.”

“With the support of the members and coordination by the Regional Office, we have achieved many milestones in the past 10 years. As the only association in the region to represent airports’ interests, ACI Asia-Pacific is dedicated in ensuring that ACI’s mission to advance airports’ collective interests and to promote professional excellence is achieved,” he concluded.

To commemorate this special occasion, a photo exhibition was organized at the conference to showcase some of the significant milestones and moments over the last ten years. A number of founding members of ACI Asia-Pacific were present in Jordan to celebrate the occasion.

The next ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly will be held in Gold Coast, Australia, hosted by Queensland Airports Limited. For further details about the next Assembly, please visit ACI Asia-Pacific website at www.aci-asiapac.aero.