ACI World announces the successful 2018 Young Aviation Professionals

Montreal, 1 March 2018 – Airports Council International (ACI) World, together with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), announces the 2018 Young Aviation Professionals. After the competitive selection process, the three successful candidates are: Ms. Monika Kopoczynska (Poland), Ms. Valentina Chamrai (France and Russia) and Ms. Karine Ung (Canada).

The Young Aviation Professionals Programme (YAPP) is a unique development programme targeted for the next generation of aviation professionals.

The 12-month annual programme is open to candidates who have advanced university qualifications and a minimum of two years professional working experience in aviation-related regulatory activities and/or the air transport industry.

Selected from among over 400 applicants, the selectees are energized, excited and ready for the challenges which await them. They are passionate about the aviation sector and have a genuine desire to further develop their knowledge and experience in air and space law, airport management and transport services, and engineering, respectively.

Director General of ACI World, Angela Gittens said: “It is essential that airports have a deep and diverse talent pool from which to draw ensuring the sustainable growth of the industry. It is our duty to promote aviation as a rewarding career path, in turn inspiring the next generation and meeting future demand. This programme provides these talented young aviation professionals the opportunity to building knowledge, receive a positive mentorship experiences and develop a network of colleagues and future employers.”

Since the Programme was launched in 2013, a total of eight female and 5 male young professionals, representing all regions of the world, have been selected for the Programme. This year is the first time the successful candidates are all women.

Like their predecessors, the 2018 YAPP successful candidates will contribute to one or more of ICAO’s Strategic Objectives, focusing on the inter-relationships between the work of ICAO experts and the work of their counterparts at ACI World and IATA, who serve the airport and airline industries, respectively. Once they have completed the programme, participants are well positioned to help satisfy the rapidly growing talent and innovation needs of the global aviation community.

The recruitment campaign for the 2019 YAPP is expected to be announced on the ICAO careers site in early September 2018.

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