World airports to meet in Panama to chart a course for future growth
Montreal/Panama City, 18 August 2015 – The Airports Council International (ACI) Latin America-Caribbean/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, organized this year under the theme “Airports: Shaping our future” and graciously hosted by Tocumen International Airport, is just two weeks away. From 31 August to 2 September, airport leaders from around the world will gather in Panama City, Panama for an informative conference centered on charting a course for sustainable growth and a leading-edge exhibition featuring the latest innovations from product and service providers specializing in airports.
By popular demand, this year’s conference will be preceded on 31 August by an expanded Forum and Symposium programme covering safety, the environment, generating commercial revenues, human resources, and new airport developments in China and the Latin America-Caribbean region.
The conference itself has been crafted from the ground up to give delegates the chance to deliberate on issues of particular interest to airports. Session topics include CEO insights on future challenges and opportunities; catering to the emerging generation of air travelers; improving the passenger journey from curb to boarding; best practices during periods of disruption; and new tools and technologies for improving the customer experience.
Notably, keynote speakers at the event include Jorge Quijano, Chief Executive Officer, Panama Canal Authority and Pedro Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer, Copa Holdings and Copa Airlines. ACI is pleased to announce that Juan Carlos Varela, President of Panama, will open the conference on 1 September.
“It is most fitting that this year’s event takes place in Panama,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “Located at the isthmus that connects the Americas, the country is emblematic of aviation’s power to bring people and businesses together. In cooperation with our host, Tocumen International Airport, ACI has prepared a comprehensive conference schedule designed to give delegates the information they need to meet the future’s challenges and take advantage of its opportunities.”
“It is a great honor to receive our distinguished industry colleagues for one of the world’s premier events centered on the business of airports,” said Joseph Fidanque III, General Manager, Tocumen International Airport. “I’m excited to learn how your countries and airports are planning for what is to come, just as I’m proud for you to hear about the steps that Panama and Tocumen are taking to ensure we greet the future with open arms.”
“There is no greater testament to airports being drivers of local economies and connectors of people and businesses than having the President of Panama address attendees at the 2015 ACI Latin America-Caribbean/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition,” added Javier Martinez Botacio, Director General, ACI Latin America-Caribbean. “I would like to thank Tocumen International Airport for hosting this important event, and I look forward to welcoming delegates to beautiful Panama. For those who have not yet registered, I urge you to take part in the discussion today for a safer, more secure and more profitable airport industry tomorrow.”
Notes for editors
1. To register for the 2015 ACI Latin America-Caribbean/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, please click here. For more information about the event, please click here.
2. Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable.
3. Tocumen International Airport is a key point for air connectivity in Latin America. It is the only airport in Central America with two runways at sea level, 34 boarding gates and 6 remote positions, and the ability to move over 12 million passengers per year. Currently, from Tocumen Airport you can be connected with 83 destinations in 34 countries in the Americas and Europe, facilitating business opportunities and offering tourism attractions for a large community at the region. In 2017, the new “South Terminal”, which is the masterpiece of the modernization plan of Tocumen International Airport, is scheduled to become operational. After this expansion, Tocumen will increase its capacity to 18 million passengers per year.
4. For a pdf version of this press release, please click here.
Media contact
Ryan White
Manager, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1226
Email: rwhite@aci.aero