Airports Council International (ACI) World, along with ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Civil Airports Association (CCAC) to work collaboratively together in the country.

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira met with CCAC Administrator Song Zhiyong to discuss ways of working more closely in China.

Agreed collaborations include boosting airport customer experience through the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme. Other areas of partnership include the rollout of ACI Global Trainings and Assessments.

In a major sustainability win, CCAC has also agreed to collaborate on the new ACI APAC & MID Net Zero Roadmap programme. 

It is also expected that ACI and CCAC will team up to host a number of events in China. One of the first will be the 2025 ACI World Customer Experience Summit & Exhibition, which will be held at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

“The reopening of China in 2022, the second largest aviation market after the United States, remains a critical boost to global activity and to passenger traffic, both domestically within the Chinese aviation market and for international travel,” said de Oliveira. 

“The Asia-Pacific region, where China plays a key role, is expected to rebound in 2023, reaching 85.3% of 2019 levels. 

“Our deepest gratitude to CCAA for its warm hospitality, as we look forward to fortifying our partnership in a multitude of ways, including enhancing the customer experience, honing professional skills and accreditations, championing decarbonization and organising airport events around the world, with Chinese airports at the forefront.”

 ACI APAC & MID Director General Stefano Baronci added: “China will continue to be one of the most vibrant aviation markets, and is expected to contribute 21% to the additional growth in the global traffic by 2041. 

“In order to cater to this growth, Chinese airports must make substantial preparations for efficient operations, addressing evolving passenger needs, and implementing sustainable measures for environmental protection. 

“We hope this MoU will further strengthen the already strong ties between our relationships with CCAA, and will serve as a platform to promote ACI programs to the airports in China as part of our mission to promote excellence in airport operations and management.”

China Civil Airports Association: China ‘integral’ to global aviation

 CCAA Chairman Mam Wang Ruiping commented: “The signing of this MoU highlights China Civil Airports Association’s commitment to working with international organisations such as Airports Council International (ACI). 

“The MoU formalises a comprehensive and in-depth cooperation wherein Chinese airports are fully internationalised and integral to the development of global civil aviation.”

Announcing Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport as the host of the 2025 ACI World Customer Experience Summit & Exhibition, de Oliveira said he was “thrilled” for the event to take place in the city.

“In 2019, the airport had more than 73 million passengers and was one of the busiest in China, and during the first year of the pandemic (2020) became the busiest airport in the world. 

“Since 2020, they have respectively earned the spot of busiest airport in China and our preliminary results for 2023 reveal a top rank, with a recovery rate of 86% (over 63 million passengers in 2023). 

“Their outstanding performance is a testament to their resilience and focus on the customer and employee experience, promising to be both a graciously welcoming and insightful host.”

Acting Mayor of Guangzhou Mr. Sun Zhiyang added that the airport’s status as an international business centre meant that Guangzhou could give its full support to the Summit. 

Earlier this month, ACI World named Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport CEO Candace McGraw as its new Chair – the first woman in its history to hold the role.