Over 500 delegates from more than 80 countries are gathering in Cape Town for the Airports Council International Africa Regional Conference and annual general assembly.
The event started on Monday afternoon at the Cape Town international convention centre. Every year it brings together the CEOs, board members and executives of the world’s airports as well as top representatives of all sectors of the air transport industry.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Airports mean business” and according to ACI director general, Robert Aaronson, it provides delegates with an opportunity to share perspectives and experiences on how airports can maximise their growth potential and implement efficient business practices that ensure bottom-line profitability.
“The theme encapsulates both a statement of fact and our business philosophy. It announces that we — the world’s airports and the ACI organisation worldwide — intend to improve the passenger experience, which has been degraded by ever increasing regulation and restrictions. It means that we intend to adapt or change current practices in order to achieve greater efficiency and quality of service for passengers. We look forward to hearing what the experts have to say about the challenges and possible solutions.”
Airports Company South Africa is hosting this year’s event and managing director Monhla Hlahla will address the conference on Tuesday on the changing face of air transport in Africa by 2015.
She says that the theme of the conference is especially relevant to Africa considering that air transport currently contributes more than $ 11-billion to African GDP.
“And if we include air-transport-dependent tourism activities, the contribution to GDP in Africa reaches approximately $55,5-billion,” she noted.
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe will officially open the conference. – I-Net Bridge