| Montreal, 5 May 2026 – Modernizing aviation policy is critical to ensuring airports can keep pace with rising global demand, as outdated regulatory frameworks risk constraining growth, capacity, and sustainability, ACI World said today as it launches its Policy Agenda 2030.
Airports are strategic assets for countries, supporting trade, tourism, and connectivity, and playing an increasingly important role in economic development. As demand accelerates, updated policy frameworks will be essential to enable airports to continue delivering this value.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said: “The question is no longer whether demand will grow, but whether policy will enable it. Regulatory frameworks must evolve to empower airports and position them as strategic assets that drive economic and social development. ACI World is urging governments and regulators to adopt policies that enable airports to deliver greater capacity, connectivity, resilience, and socio-economic value.”
To support this, ACI World today launched its Policy Agenda 2030, outlining a set of priority actions for regulators and decision-makers.
Amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and increasing pressure on infrastructure, the Policy Agenda calls for action to expand capacity, strengthen connectivity, and enhance the resilience and sustainability of the aviation system.
Four key airport industry policy priorities
The Policy Agenda 2030 identifies four key airport industry policy priorities, aimed at modernizing aviation.
- Airports as Businesses: Recognize airports as strategic assets and competitive businesses in their own right; promote aviation’s economic development, connectivity, and its broader benefits.
- Airport Capacity Enhancement: Modernize slot policy; support aviation system capacity growth; enhance facilitation to improve the passenger experience; and support the airport workforce in addressing future challenges.
- Safety, Security and Operations: Maintain risk-based, outcome-oriented global safety policies; emphasize optimization, prioritization, and effective security frameworks aligned with evolving risks.
- Sustainable Growth and Decarbonization: Recognize the enabling role of airports in decarbonization efforts; intensify coordinated action on climate adaptation and resilience; and protect sustainable growth while enhancing local environments and communities.
Each area presents a clear set of policy asks. Together, these priorities reflect the most critical and actionable areas within today’s global policy landscape.
The Policy Agenda 2030 complements ACI World’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and aligns with the ICAO Strategic Plan 2026–2050, identifying the policy actions needed to unlock the full potential of airports as drivers of connectivity, sustainability, and economic transformation.
The agenda was released at ACI World Headquarters during the annual meeting with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Members, focused on ACI World priorities and enhanced collaboration. |
