Airports Council International (ACI) World, with the World Economic Forum, has launched the ‘Airports of Tomorrow’ initiative aimed at optimising the potential for airports to be vehicles for economic growth and environmental stewardship.

To accelerate the decarbonisation of the aviation industry, Airports Council International (ACI) World, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum has recently launched the Airports of Tomorrow initiative.

In a press statement the global aviation federation ACI says that its Airports of Tomorrow initiative will call to action public and private stakeholders together to drive unprecedented collaboration and change in the sector. The initiative is built on four fundamental pillars that include infrastructure, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), finance and innovation, where each ensures the exchange of expertise and knowledge sharing, development of tools and guidance, and advancement of advocacy.

ACI says that collaboration across aviation stakeholders, including states, regulators, fuel producers, and the financial sector, is crucial to attaining the joint commitment to NetZero carbon emission by 2050. In view of that, the

Airports of Tomorrow initiative will drive maximising the potential for airports to be vehicles for economic growth and environmental stewardship, the statement adds.

“The ACI World-World Economic Forum Airports of Tomorrow initiative will help airports transform from passenger hubs into energy hubs. It is an exciting time for airports: the energy transformation presents them with an opportunity to further lead and change the future of aviation for the better,” according to ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira.

“We see airports as strategically located epicentres of activity, where leaders from across the aviation ecosystem can convene and work together to transform the industry. If the right planning and investment decisions are made today, airports can play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for aviation as well as other transport sectors. The Airports of Tomorrow initiative will help airports harness these opportunities, enabling them to fulfil their potential as clean energy hubs and standard-bearers for the NetZero economy,” says Lauren Uppink, Head, Climate Strategy, World Economic Forum.

The statement adds that the announcement was made in the presence of over 800 aviation delegates at the ACI Europe/ ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, one of the most important global gathering of airports, in Barcelona, Spain.

“Decarbonisation is a critical global issue that requires a global response. With the support from governments and the collaboration of stakeholders along the aviation ecosystem, including energy producers, policymakers, and the finance community at large, together we can make the NetZero airport transformation a success story, while enhancing a sustainable and resilient future for the Airports of Tomorrow,” adds Oliveira.