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Press Releases
25 April 2023

SITA renews sponsorship of the leading ACI-ICAO executive development program for airport managers

Media contacts

Sabrina Guerrieri

Director, Communications

ACI World

Telephone : +1 514 373 1254

Julius Baumann

Head of Media Relations

SITA

Telephone : +41 78 901 4123

Montreal, 25 April 2023 – Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) today announce SITA’s renewed and long-standing support of the leading training and leadership program for airport executives, the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP).

Since its launch in 2007, AMPAP has become the globally recognized and respected curriculum for career development and excellence for airport executives, benefiting over 1,200 participants to date. The program covers all functional areas of the airport business and latest industry standards, helping practitioners meet the current and emerging challenges they face for the benefit of the travelling public and the communities aviation serves.

Drew Griffiths, Head of SITA AT AIRPORTS, said: “We are very proud to continue as the premier sponsor of the AMPAP program. With SITA present at more than 1,000 airports globally, we are a key member of this global community. Through the AMPAP program we will support ACI and ICAO in expanding the reach of the program through the use of new digital technologies while nurturing a new generation of airport leaders. It is also key to strengthening SITA’s ability to better serve the industry.”  

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of ACI World, said: “Investing in the training and upskilling of airport managers is crucial to aviation’s short- and long-term sustainability —particularly as we continue to build and retain its workforce. The airport industry is continuously evolving and so too must our knowledge. Our renewed longstanding partnership with SITA reflects the ongoing relevancy of the program and the important role of technology in improving airport operations and streamlining the passenger journey. We are grateful to SITA for this partnership which allows us to pool our expertise and enhance the AMPAP experience for the world’s airport management professionals.”

Mr. Jorge Varga, ICAO’s Technical Cooperation Bureau (TCB) Director and AMPAP Team Leader, said: “Many of the industry’s common objectives for modernized airports infrastructure and enhanced passenger facilitation will have important implications for the next generation of airport leaders. This very critical modernization process speaks to why updating and improving the skills and knowledge of airport managers in the coming decades will be so essential, both to long-term air transport adaptability and sustainability. SITA’s partnership and support of AMPAP has ensured a commitment towards quality and excellency of the program. I look forward to continue building on this important collaboration, aimed to enhance airport management globally.”

AMPAP graduates earn the International Airport Professional (IAP) Designation or AMPAP Associate diploma award, recognizing an individual’s excellence in airport management and proficiency in applying ACI best practices and ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs).

ACI World and ICAO have previously announced the appointment of Angela Gittens, former Director General of ACI World, as the program’s ambassador. The role aims to advance AMPAP’s visibility and its objective to support airport practitioners around the world and across the aviation ecosystem.

About ACI

Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, is a federated organization comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific, ACI EUROPE, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean and ACI North America. 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 2023, ACI serves 712 members, operating 1925 airports in 171 countries.

About SITA

SITA is the air transport industry’s IT provider, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments. Our technology powers more seamless, safe and sustainable air travel.

With around 2,500 customers, SITA’s solutions drive operational efficiencies at more than 1,000 airports while delivering the promise of the connected aircraft to customers of 17,000 aircraft globally. SITA also provides technology solutions that help more than 70 governments strike the balance of secure borders and seamless travel. Our communications network connects every corner of the globe and bridges 45% of the air transport community’s data exchange.

In 2021, SITA became a certified CarbonNeutral® company in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol – the leading global standard for carbon neutral programs. We are reducing our greenhouse gas emissions for all our operations through our UN recognized Planet+ program, while also developing solutions to help the aviation industry meet its carbon reduction objectives, including reduced fuel burn and greater operational efficiencies. In 2022, we announced our commitment to setting science-based emission reduction targets aligned to the Science Based Targets initiative Net-Zero Standard.

SITA is 100% owned by the industry and driven by its needs. It is one of the most internationally diverse companies, providing services in over 200 countries and territories.

For further information, go to www.sita.aero.

Editor notes

  1. Learn more about the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP).