AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2005--Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) President Greg Principato spoke today at the ACI World General Assembly, stressing the importance of promoting the links between air transportation and the expansion of commerce. The yearly meeting attracts world aviation leaders and provides a forum for the development of successful airport strategies worldwide.
"Throughout history, great economies have been built on the most efficient transportation system of the day. Today it is air transportation - the safest, most efficient and most effective means of transportation ever devised," he said. "Airports, and travel and tourism, are more than partners for growth. Airports are the critical element in the basic infrastructure that supports global business today - the main cog in the production line of the global economy."
A number of concerns Principato said need to be addressed not only as aviation issues but also as tourism, trade, and economic growth issues, including congestion, air traffic control reform, investment in aviation infrastructure and new security technologies, and reforming outdated systems for governing international air services. Principato also said air service should be liberalized and that working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on issues such as e-passports, common standards for passenger and baggage screening, and a strong ICAO-based audit program, the technology and cooperation among governments can simultaneously improve safety and security, protect national sovereignty, and promote travel and trade.
"As airports and communities, we have always been the first proponents of liberalization and it remains our responsibility to strive to make the air free of economic restrictions so that the full benefits of travel and trade may be realized," he said. "As an international airport community, we must redouble our commitments and efforts to liberalize international aviation services."
To read Principato's speech in its entirety, please visit http://www.aci-na.org/docs/70_GOPAuckland11-05.pdf
Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Over 300 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of Airports Council International.
CONTACT: ACI-NA Pam Shepherd, 202-293-8500 [email protected] KEYWORD: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFICINDUSTRY KEYWORD: AEROSPACE/DEFENSE TRAVEL AIRLINES TRANSPORTATION MANUFACTURINGSOURCE: Airports Council International-North America
