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Press Releases
30 November 2023

ACI World Airport Excellence (APEX) program celebrates historic 200th review at Bahrain International Airport

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Sabrina Guerrieri

Director, Communications

ACI World

Telephone : +1 514 373 1254

Bahrain, 30 November 2023 – ACI World today celebrates the Airport Excellence’s (APEX) 200th review, at Bahrain International Airport, marking a historic milestone in the program’s mission of raising aviation standards globally.

Since 2011, the ACI World APEX program has provided comprehensive onsite airport reviews led by industry peers and experts to optimize airport operations, regulatory compliance, and aviation standards worldwide. APEX is based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, international regulations, and ACI best practices and offers reviews on four priority areas: security, cybersecurity, safety, and environment.

During the five-day review from 26–30 November, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) and ACI World also signed a Declaration of Commitment and Collaboration, solidifying their shared dedication to promoting excellence in airport operations.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of ACI World, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this milestone and celebrating it at Bahrain International Airport.

“The 200th APEX review is a testament to the program’s relevancy, success and impact on raising aviation standards worldwide,” said de Oliveira. “We are honored to celebrate this achievement at Bahrain International Airport, a leading airport known for its commitment to raising the bar in all areas of airport operations. Our flagship program will without a doubt continue to be instrumental in fostering excellence in airport security, cybersecurity, safety, and sustainability around the world. We thank every APEX Assessor—aviation professionals that help conduct reviews, mentor team members, and share knowledge and industry best practices to improve the sector.”

Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airport Company said: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Airport Council International (ACI) World through the APEX program which will provide us with invaluable insights and recommendations to enhance our security, cybersecurity, safety, and environmental practices. Bahrain Airport Company partnered with ACI World for an APEX review in 2017 to enhance our Aerodrome Safety and Airside operations practices, and today this collaboration aims to optimize our operations and incorporate International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices, driving continuous improvement in our overall airport performance. At Bahrain Airport Company, we remain committed to providing a world-class airport experience for our passengers and stakeholders, and this milestone not only reinforces our position as a leading airport in the region but also inspires us to continually raise the bar and set new benchmarks in the aviation industry.”

In October 2023, ACI World launched the newest addition to the program—APEX in Cybersecurity. The review serves as a starting point for assessing cybersecurity practices at airports and is designed to assist airports in undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of their cybersecurity landscape.

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 and the Middle East, 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.

Editor notes

  1. Learn more about the ACI World APEX program.