Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
    • A-C
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
    • D-L
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
    • M-R
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
    • S-Z
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • Showcase 2024
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • April 2023
    • January 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. Subscribe Free
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    April 2, 2025

    January 2025 issue is now available online!

    December 11, 2024

    Passenger Terminal World Showcase 2025

    November 12, 2024
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
News

ACI calls regulators to support the economic sustainability of airports

Elizabeth BakerBy Elizabeth BakerJanuary 19, 20234 Mins Read

Airports Council International (ACI) World has called on regulators to support the economic sustainability of airports as social and economic engines of communities worldwide and for the benefit of the traveling public.

According to ACI World, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on airport passenger traffic resulted in a global decline of 61% in 2020 relative to 2019 (falling from 9.2 billion passengers in 2019 to 3.6 billion passengers in 2020). The organization pointed out that the lasting effects on revenues in the years following the collapse resulted in capital expenditure reductions. Furthermore, where government financial support or other relief measures were insufficient, many airports also had to refinance their operations, creating a mounting debt burden. ACI underlined this point with reference to an International Air Transport Association (IATA) report which stated that both airports and airlines have the weakest economic performance among all sectors in aviation and all global industries.

The ACI World-InterVISTAS State of Play: Competition, Regulation, and Airport Charges Research and the ACI World-InterVISTAS State of Play: Competition, Regulation, and Airport Charges Regional Analysis reports were created to provide evidence that supports a shift towards light-handed airport charging models. The observed data demonstrated that the direct cost of airport charges (levied on both passengers and airlines) to consumers is small in terms of the final ticket price, including airline ancillary charges. Independently of the impact of airport charges, the indices of airfares highlighted significant percentage increases of double-digit proportions in 2021 and 2022 as compared to previous years. The drivers in the increases in airfares were found to largely be a function of rises in the major cost items such as jet fuel and personnel costs but also airlines’ ability to adjust pricing based on demand patterns aimed at improving economic performance.

As a result, ACI World has advocated that new approaches for economic oversight should be considered to ensure better use of airport capacity through flexible pricing, the fostering of infrastructure development, decarbonization targets, socioeconomic benefits and charges incentives to address issues of congestion, noise and climate change impacts. These factors are expected to encourage a sustainable aviation ecosystem.

The call to action supports the recent ACI World Resolution Restoring Economic Equilibrium that urges governments to acknowledge the changed risk profile of airports in some jurisdictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to provide regulatory support to restore economic equilibrium for unrecovered costs, either as financial compensation or through future airport charges. It also follows the recent outcomes of the Economic Commission of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which recognized the need for the ongoing review of ICAO’s policies on charges for airports and air navigation services.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general of ACI World, said, “It is vital that international and national regulators support the economic sustainability of airports as crucial players in the health of the entire aviation ecosystem. Restoring the economic equilibrium of airports through financial compensation or through future airport charges is necessary for investing in the infrastructure needed to accommodate the growth of air travel and meet decarbonization targets, as well as maximize airports’ contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and wider socioeconomic effects.

“This should not be a zero-sum game. Like airlines and other aviation stakeholders, airports are businesses that continue to be affected by the pandemic’s economic impact, energy costs, staff shortages and other inflationary pressures felt by the entire industry. However, what is unique to airports is that they face high fixed costs irrespective of economic conditions and do not have the same level of flexibility in managing capacity. With continued economic headwinds and global passenger traffic expecting a loss of 27% in 2022 as compared to 2019, a balance must be struck in order to restore the economic equilibrium of airports.”

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleOrlando Airport introduces interactive gaming experience to Plaza Premium Lounge
Next Article SSP Group appoints Kari Daniels as CEO of UK and Ireland

Related Posts

Security

Clear expands TSA PreCheck enrollment to new locations

July 24, 20241 Min Read
Technology

Aurrigo conducts autonomous baggage and cargo tractor trial at Stuttgart Airport

July 23, 20243 Mins Read
Security

Researchers find visual inspection experience is essential for airport security screening

July 23, 20242 Mins Read
Latest News

Libya’s US$1.3bn Benghazi Airport to open in 2026

June 10, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma opens new security checkpoint

June 10, 2025

LAX opens metro station to modernize landside access

June 9, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT