ACI's Airport Excellence Program (APEX) provides comprehensive on-site and virtual airport reviews led by industry peers and experts to optimize airport operations, regulatory compliance, and aviation standards worldwide.
APEX is based on ICAO standards, international regulations and ACI best practices offering reviews in four priority areas: safety, security, cybersecurity and environment.
Airports benefit from an assessment tailored to their unique needs and receive expertise, practical recommendations, and targeted solutions that contribute to their long-term capacity and success.
APEX Benefits for Airports
More than 230 APEX reviews have been conducted Worldwide
APEX Program Priority Areas
Safety
Assessment
Security
Assessment
Cybersecurity
Assessment
Environment
Assessment
Safety review areas include:
Security review areas include:
Cybersecurity review areas include:
Environment review areas include:
ACI also offers virtual APEX reviews to meet the changing demands of the aviation industry.
The virtual assessment provides airports with insights into all documentation, standard operating procedures, management programs (FOD, Management Systems, Pavement Management Program, Risk Management, etc.), data collection practices, and many other aspects under the airport operator’s responsibility.
Timeline is between two to four days per assessment, depending on the area selected.
- Safety Management System (SMS)
- Aerodrome Manual
- Wildlife Hazard Management
- Airport Security Program
- Risk Management Program
- Checkpoint Screening
- Crisis Management (CM) and Emergency Preparedness
- Wildlife Trafficking Prevention
APEX Review Process
For every APEX review, ACI assembles a unique team of experts from ACI member airports to systematically review the safety, security, cybersecurity, or environmental measures of a host airport onsite or virtually.
Following the review, the assessors prepare a comprehensive report that includes recommendations and best practices for the host airport to address gaps and vulnerabilities, improve airport infrastructure, and increase regulatory compliance.
Based on the report, ACI can then assist the host airport develop an airport action plan and provide guidance throughout its implementation.
CONDUCT AN ON-SITE OR VIRTUAL APEX REVIEW
AND BENEFIT FROM PEER SUPPORT AND INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Advisory services
With a global network and decades of industry experience, we ensure your airport remains competitive and prepared for the future. By leveraging our internal expertise and collaborating with World Business Partners, we provide guidance across a wide range of areas to meet your specific needs.
Areas of Expertise:
Aerodrome certification
Safety and Security
Cybersecurity
Economics
Environment
Customer experience / Accessibility
Strategic Planning
Aeronautical studies
Crisis management / emergency planning
Testimonials
"I would like to express my sincere thanks for the APEX Safety Review completed in Cork Airport. It was a unique opportunity to have a team of industry experts conduct a deep dive review of our airside operations."
- Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport, Ireland
"The APEX program offers a global perspective on your airport’s operations, aligning with international standards and best practices. APEX delivers valuable insights by identifying gaps, providing targeted recommendations, and facilitating peer-to-peer knowledge sharing with industry professionals facing similar challenges."
- Lazaro Manuel Real, ARFF & EMS Manager, AERODOM, Dominican Republic
"APEX is an awesome program that allows us to exchange expertise and knowledge, make friends and develop. I liked it very much and look forward to future missions."
- Gozel Serikbayeva, Flight Safety Department, Director, JSC Almaty International Airport
"It was truly a rewarding experience. The APEX team was dedicated to assisting the airport in working through the review and provided daily feedback, informing them of what we were observing and eliminating any surprises during the final presentation."
- Annette McBride, Aviation Security Compliance Analyst, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, USA
Join the APEX Assessor Community
APEX assessors provide expertise, guidance, recommendations, and targeted solutions to airports throughout the APEX review process— with the objective to increase airport excellence and regulatory compliance.
Benefits of an APEX Assessor
- Play an active role in advancing airport excellence worldwide, supporting safer, more resilient, and more sustainable operations.
- Gain a broader view of international regulatory environments, infrastructure realities, and emerging challenges across different regions.
- Acquire visibility across the global aviation community and recognition within ACI’s international network and beyond.
- Engage in real-time learning and problem-solving with experienced peers, a unique environment for technical and operational growth.
Responsibilities
- Support airport efforts to improve safety, security, cybersecurity, and environmental performance
- Tailor reviews to the airport’s operating environment, regional aviation goals, and requirements for airport certification
- Establish indicators and provide tools to reduce safety and security risks
- Deliver presentation of findings and develop a written report
Requirements
- A minimum three years of active airport operational experience
- Extensive knowledge of ICAO Annexes
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Completed (or started) the ACI Global Safety Network (GSN) Diploma Program
- Excellent command of English (both written and spoken). Additional languages, such as French and Spanish are considered an asset.