ACI develops world’s first airport customer experience accreditation programme
New customer experience professional designation programme also launched
Hong Kong, 3 April 2019 – Airports Council International (ACI) World has today launched two new unique programmes that are designed to help airports promote service excellence and improve customer experience.
ACI has developed the first Airport Customer Experience Accreditation programme – which offers a common definition and framework for customer experience management – and the Airport Customer Experience Professional Designation Programme for airport employees.
Both were launched today at the ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition being held at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, hosted by Hong Kong International Airport.
The accreditation programme is part of ACI’s globally-established Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme. It will help airports improve their practices to promote a direct positive impact on customer satisfaction.
There are five levels of accreditation and the programme helps airports to assess and improve their approach to customer experience management and identify new practices that can be developed in the short and long-term in order to progress through the levels of accreditation. Accreditation at each level is also a powerful marketing tool for airports to show their commitment to improving customer experience.
Six airports contributed to the development of the programme and have today been recognized as the first to be accredited: Abu Dhabi International Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, Sydney Airport, and Quito International Airport.
“Airports have become destinations in their own right, offering customers unique experiences which shape their expectations,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said.
“This carefully designed programme is the very first worldwide customer experience management accreditation programme designed specifically for the airport industry and dedicated to ACI members. It is all about improving the experience of customers and to help airports meet their customers` ever-evolving expectations.
“Airports are sophisticated businesses with various interlinked partner organizations and companies which often have different business objectives and goals. It is important for all involved parties to have a common view of airport customer experience and ACI’s new accreditation programme helps airports to develop this common view.”
The Airport Customer Experience Professional Designation Programme has been developed for airports subscribing to the new accreditation programme. As part of the accreditation process, each airport must nominate a number of employees to take the course so that they have a clear understanding of customer experience and are competent to lead the airport in terms of customer experience management.
The programme can also be completed as a stand-alone programme and any airport can also designate additional employees to take the course – participants will work towards attaining the following designations:
- ACES: Airport Customer Experience Specialist, and
- ACEP: Airport Customer Experience Professional.
“Any airport employee that is working to better customer experience of their airport may join the Customer Experience Professional Designation Programme,” Angela Gittens said. “A critical component of delivering an exceptional customer experience is ensuring that employees are engaged and motivated to provide the best level of service or performance, no matter which part of the passenger journey they deliver.
“This new programme draws on ACI’s considerable experience in both measuring and assessing airport service quality and as a provider of global training courses and is another essential ingredient for airports in their delivery of a seamless airport experience.”
The Customer Experience Professional Designation requires each participant to receive continuing professional development and re-certification in order to maintain active certification status. Re-certification is performed every five years and participants will be required to complete appropriate activities – attend a training course, participate in a conference or webinar, for instance – in order to maintain their designations.
Notes for editors
- 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 a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2019, ACI serves 646 members, operating 1,960 airports in 176 countries.
- ACI member airports are eligible to apply for the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation programme. As this accreditation programme is a complementary programme for ACI Airport Service Quality programme, it is required for airports to subscribe to at least one ASQ departure programme.
- The Accreditation is valid a period of 12 months, so each airport can upgrade or renew its level every year prior to expiration of its accreditation.
Media contacts
Anita Berthier
Manager, External Relations and Special Events
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1254
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero
Sabrina Guerrieri
Manager, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1200
Email: mediarelations@aci.aero