ACI World appoints David Whitely as new Director of Communications

Montreal, 22 February 2017 – Airports Council International (ACI) World has today announced the appointment of former London Gatwick Airport senior leader David Whitely as its new Director of Communications.

David joins ACI World as it continues to expand its advocacy for a sustainable airport industry for all members, large or small, in every region of the world. 

David brings to ACI World more than 20 years’ experience in journalism, corporate, media, and public relations in the UK and Australia. He has held senior campaigning, strategy, crisis and reputation management roles with HSBC, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority during the height of the Global Financial Crisis and with the Western Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet including playing a central role in the 2013 election campaign.

Most recently, David was part of London Gatwick Airport’s Senior Leadership Team serving as Head of Communications during a period of unprecedented investment and growth for the airport. For four years, David also managed the airport’s high-profile expansion campaign and his team was rated most highly for press relations by senior national transport journalists.

“David brings extensive communications and industry experience, is comfortable working in a federated environment and familiar with playing a strategic role at the senior leadership level. David’s expertise will strengthen our policy advocacy, ensuring a clarity of voice on the increasing number of issues and opportunities facing the industry”, said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World.

“I am excited to join ACI World’s high-performing team at a time when it has never been more important that the voice of the global airports industry is heard,” said David Whitely. “At London Gatwick, I experienced first hand how individual airports are rising to the perennial challenges of safety and security while also planning to sustainably meet growing demand for capacity in an increasingly competitive environment. I am energized by the opportunity to grapple with these issues from a global perspective and help to advocate for the interests of all airports around the world.”

David is working in ACI World’s office in Montreal; he can be reached at dwhitely@aci.aero.

Notes for editors

1.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 Organization. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring the global air transport system is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2018, provisional figures show that ACI serves 641 members operating 1,953 airports in 176 countries.

2. Download a PDF version of this media release.

Media contacts:

Hicham Ayoun
Manager, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1223
Email:  mediarelations@aci.aero

Anita Berthier
Manager, External Relations and Special Events
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero