ACI Media Press Release Archives (2006)

Aaronson’s overall message about industry relations is nuanced. He calls for airports and airlines to work in partnership at the local and regional airline association level, and to maintain important cooperation with IATA on non-economic issues.

ACI has concluded that IATA's presence at airport/airline consultations is neither necessary nor desirable, nor is it healthy for the industry. At the ACI World General Assembly in Auckland in November 2005, ACI members unanimously adopted a strong resolution to this effect, questioning IATA's role in airport charges consultations and spelling out a strategy for disengagement.

ACI’s Director General has no illusions that his comments will put a stop to IATA's distortions about the industry, but he is fully prepared to continue to fight empty rhetoric with facts and logic.

“It is important for ACI to dispel the notion that airports are simply public utilities with ‘non-transparent’ financial practices,” says Aaronson. To this end, ACI has prepared two position papers to set the record straight: "Understanding Airport Business" and "Airport Benchmarking to Maximize Efficiency".

 ACI will continue to promote transparent and constructive relations between airports and their airline customers, and will work closely with its 1650 members worldwide as the airports community confronts the complex challenges of providing sufficient capacity and high levels of service in a climate of rapid growth.

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