Safety is the top priority of the global aviation industry and lies at the core of ACI World's mission.
Our members are committed to the continuous improvement of safety measures to protect both passengers and staff.
This dedication is reflected throughout the airport community, where the adoption of innovative technologies and enhanced operational processes is helping to raise safety standards across the board.
ACI World collaborates closely with its members and international partners on all aspects of airport safety — from airside and runway operations to safety management systems, standard operating procedures, and comprehensive staff training. These efforts ensure airports remain safe, secure, and fully aligned with international regulations and standards.
Advocating on behalf of airports
ACI World's Safety experts provide:
Areas of expertise covered
ACI World Airside Safety and Operations Committee
The ACI World Airside Safety and Operations Committee provides guidance and expertise that strengthens airport safety measures worldwide. The committee works with ACI members and international organizations, including International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Flight Safety Foundation, Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA), International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), and others, to shape the safety agenda and ensure new developments and policies reflect airport interests.
How we support the industry
Airport Runway Safety
ACI World works with members, safety experts, and international organizations, including ICAO, the Flight Safety Foundation and others, to support runway safety measures across the airport industry. ACI World shares best practices and recommended runway safety measures through various resources and training opportunities to help airports identify and reduce runway take-off and landing risks and hazards.
ACI is a co-signatory of the Flight Safety Foundation and Eurocontrol Global Action Plans for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (GAPPRE) and the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI).
These jointly developed global action plans aim to support aviation organizations in preventing runway incursions and excursions. Both are structured similarly: the first part outlines the agreed recommendations for various civil aviation organizations, while the second part provides explanatory guidance material and best practices to support these recommendations, which are included as appendices.
- GAPPRE: Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions
- GAPPRI: Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions
Developed by ICAO, ACI, and partner organizations, the Runway Safety Program- Global Runway Safety Action Plan (GRSAP) is a valuable resource for runway safety teams. It provides tools and guidelines to improve runway safety standards and procedures.
Ground Handling
ACI World collaborates closely with its members, ICAO, ASA, and IATA. These partnerships support the development and implementation of a robust regulatory framework, while also empowering airports with the authority to oversee and enforce safety standards for all ground handling operations on airport premises. Ground handler service providers should implement a Safety Management System and airport operators should provide operating licenses to qualified ground handlers who demonstrate a commitment to safety practices and standards.
ACI and ASA developed a ground handling agreement template that can be adapted locally.
Implementing aGSE
To support the transition from fossil fuels to low- and zero-emission energy sources, including hydrogen and electricity, ACI developed the Alternative Ground Support Equipment (aGSE) Survey, which collects information from airport operators on the use of alternative fuels for ground support equipment and other airside vehicles.
Conducted annually, the survey helps track industry progress and allows airports to benchmark efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
New Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS)
ICAO has introduced a new Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) framework under Annex 14, representing a major update to aerodrome safeguarding.
The framework includes two surface types:
- Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS)
- Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES)
These surfaces are applied based on runway type, the Aeroplane Design Group (ADG), and available flight procedures.
Implementation timeline:
- Effective: 4 August 2025
- Mandatory: 21 November 2030
The new framework provides greater flexibility for airports while ensuring the protection of current and future aircraft operations.
Learn more through the following courses:
Airport Master Planning
The ACI World Airport Master Planning Working Group (AMPWG) leads global initiatives to support member airports in the development of their master plans. The group plays a key role in updating the ACI-IATA Airport Development Reference Manual (ADRM) and is currently developing the ACI Airport Master Planning Handbook, which will showcase best practices from master planners around the world. This handbook is intended to guide the design and development of future-ready airports, with a strong emphasis on early-stage planning and integrated airport design.
Airport Safety Management System (SMS)
A comprehensive airport Safety Management System (SMS) ensures compliance with ICAO and applicable national regulations, allows for the management of safety risks, increases operational efficiencies and builds staff capacity.
Through ACI World’s Safety Management Systems Handbook, airport members benefit from industry best-practices, expertise, and action-orientated guidelines to implement a robust SMS using the Plan, Do, Check, Act method.
Airports can also assess their current SMS performance and identify areas for improvement using the SMS Gap Analysis and Maturity Evaluation Tool.
Airport Safety and Operations Data
The ACI World Safety and Operations Data Collection Program is a global initiative to strengthen airport safety through smarter data.
Now updated with expanded infrastructure and operational fields (covering 2021–2024), the program provides a confidential, centralized platform to share and access valuable safety insights.
The program’s dashboard and benchmarking insights are available exclusively to airports that submit their data.
To submit your data, simply download the excel file, fill in, and return to safety@aci.aero. Any questions or comments can be addressed to the same email address.
Drones
While drones can support some airport operations, increased recreational use poses hazards requiring new standards and regulations.
ACI World works with IATA and industry stakeholders to advocate for policies that protect airspace and aircraft safety, and has developed counter-drone systems as a critical element of airport safety.
- ACI World's Airport Preparedness - Drone-Related Disruption to Aircraft Operations
- Drones in the Airport Environment
- Blue Ribbon Task Force to Address Drones
The Counter-Drone Knowledge Centre provides a global hub for guidance, regulations, and resources on drone risk mitigation.
Wildlife Hazard Management
ACI World experts help reduce wildlife hazards and the associated risks they present to the aviation industry. ACI World works with airports, industry experts, and international partners, including ICAO, to identify, assess, and manage wildlife hazards to ensure a safe aerodrome environment.
In our effort to mitigate increasing wildlife strikes, and the resulting aircraft damage and monetary losses, ACI World provides airports with guidance and recommendations through various tools and resources.
While airports manage wildlife hazards within the aerodrome boundary, effective wildlife hazard management beyond the airport perimeter requires coordination and oversight by the State and relevant authorities.
Airport Emergency Response Planning
In an increasingly complex risk environment, airports must be prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies. Ensuring effective emergency response planning is essential to maintaining safe, secure, and efficient airport operations during crises.
ACI World supports its members by promoting a proactive and coordinated approach to emergency planning, using its handbooks and guidance materials to help enhance operational continuity, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and reduce vulnerability to future emergencies. In addition, ACI World advocates on behalf of airports at ICAO and other global forums to ensure that international policies and standards on emergency planning and resilience reflect the realities and needs of the airport industry.
Disabled Aircraft Removal and Recovery
The timely removal of a disabled aircraft is essential to maintaining safety and minimizing disruption, particularly when incidents occur on or near active runways.
ACI World supports airports through best practices in recovery planning, stakeholder coordination, and access to appropriate equipment and trained personnel. Our guidance helps airports strengthen preparedness and respond effectively to such events.
Key Safety and Operations resources
Global Safety Network (GSN) Diploma Program
The ACI Global Safety Network (GSN) Diploma Program consists of six specialized courses on airport safety, and is specifically designed to meet the needs of airside operations and safety managers, including developing, implementing and operating effective Safety Management Systems (SMS) at their airports.
APEX in Safety
ACI’s APEX in Safety program helps airports optimize their safety measures to facilitate compliance with ICAO regulations and standards. To achieve this, ACI delivers onsite reviews tailored to host airports’ unique needs and operational realities. Our experts provide guidance and support throughout the review process, from assessing airport operations to implementing a concrete action plan.
We want to hear from you
Your expertise is key to shaping the future of airport safety and operations. Our guidance, policies, and tools are strongest when they reflect the real-world needs of our members.
We invite you to:
- Share feedback on our safety and operations documents
- Tell us what works well and where we can improve
- Suggest new initiatives, topics, or challenges for ACI to address
If you are a subject matter expert (SME)—such as an aerodrome electrician, RFF professional, safety manager, wildlife specialist, or other airport operations expert—we encourage you to share your insights and stay connected with our work.
You can also contribute by participating in our surveys, helping us gather insights from airport professionals worldwide.
Safety and Operations Publications
Explore ACI World publications to access expert handbooks, in-depth reports and datasets, as well as comprehensive guidance. Empower your airport with global insights across all areas of the airport business, including economics, sustainability, customer experience, and operations.
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Safety Management System Gap Analysis and Maturity Evaluation Tool -
Airport Development Reference Manual (ADRM) -
ACI World Adverse Weather Operations Handbook 2024
Additional Resources on Safety and Operations
ACI World Insights
Access the latest expert opinions, global tends and data-driven insights on the ACI World Insights blog. Stay informed to make strategic decisions that drive innovation in the airport and wider aviation sector.
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How to Be a Great Airport Projects StakeholderWhy stakeholder engagement is essential in airport projects Airports are constantly evolving to meet regulatory, environmental, operational, and commercial demands. Change is constant—and in aviation, most meaningful change is delivered through projects. That means airport stakeholder engagement is not optional; it’s critical to both day-to-day operations and long-term success. Airport projects face unique challenges: Safety, security, and health compliance Environmental and ESG initiatives (e.g. Net Zero) Infrastructure upgrades to increase capacity New airlines, systems, and commercial services Customer experience and operational enhancements ...Read more -
Resilience by Design: Delivering Future-Ready Airports“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for all.” ...Read more
