Airports Council International (ACI) World and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) agree collaboration to expand safe, efficient and sustainable aviation capacity.
According ACI World, total passenger traffic worldwide is predicted to grow to 19.3 billion passengers by 2041. At the same time, the industry has committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
Airport System Capacity Enhancement programme
The ASCE programme focuses on the entire airport system and surrounding airspace as these areas can often present the most significant capacity challenges. Unlocking capacity through improved coordination, changes to procedures, and strategic investments in technology and infrastructure, can provide significant advantages.
Improvements in capacity usage can reduce delays and inefficient operations that can result in additional costs for airports and aircraft operators, as well as disruptions for passengers. The ASCE programme provides a comprehensive onsite review led by industry peers and experts to optimise the use of airport system capacity, both in the air and on the ground.
The airports being reviewed benefit from an assessment tailored to their unique needs. They will receive expertise, practical recommendations and targeted solutions that contribute to their long-term capacity usage and operational efficiency.
Pilot projects being planned
ACI and CANSO will now collaborate on a pilot of the programme in order to refine and validate methodologies. An ASCE programme pilot is planned to take place at Jorge Chávez International Airport, in Lima, Peru, with another one intended in the coming months. Interested parties looking to reap the benefits of the program are invited to fill in the ACI World-CANSO ASCE form.
ACI World director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira explained why this programme was so important to the industry: “Leveraging all the available capacity across the airport system is one of the key ways that airports and air navigation service providers can support the growth of air travel demand and the sustainability of the global aviation ecosystem. This includes the ability to meet the industry’s ambitious emissions reduction goals while sustaining economic balance by deferring or reducing the need for expensive CAPEX investments.”
CANSO director general Simon Hocquard added: “ACI and CANSO have many shared priorities and we are pleased to be working with our airport partners on this programme. I believe focusing on unlocking system capacity in the airport and airspace terminal environment can deliver real benefits for the system. We need new perspectives on the management of congestion and to be looking at new ways to utilise existing infrastructure resources if we are to meet future demands.”
