Latest news with #JustinErbacci


Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
ACI World and Cranfield University launch groundbreaking course
ACI World partners with Cranfield University to launch a pioneering net zero-focused airport management course, empowering aviation leaders for sustainable, innovation-driven transitions. MONTREAL – Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced a new partnership with Cranfield University, one of the world's premier institutions for aviation research and education, to deliver a pioneering new course: Airport Management in a Net Zero World. Offered under the globally acclaimed ACI – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP), this intensive one-week course will be hosted on the Cranfield campus in the United Kingdom, providing a powerful platform for aviation professionals to deepen their leadership capabilities in the contedext of climate action, innovation, and resilience. 'The challenges facing the airport industry today demand informed, forward-thinking leadership. This course provides a critical forum for senior professionals to engage deeply with emerging trends and their implications, building on the rigorous foundation of AMPAP. Partnering with Cranfield University reflects our shared commitment to cultivating the intellectual leadership needed to guide aviation through its most transformative era,' said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci. 'We are delighted to build on the growing partnership between Cranfiezld University and ACI and have crafted a new, transformative learning experience. This course offers a stimulating, immersive environment and invaluable collaboration with like-minded professionals. We welcome delegates to our unique campus to gain new perspectives to shape their thinking and strategy on a multi-dimensional development journey designed to inspire and elevate,' said Professor Anna Smallwood, Head of Centre for Air Transport Management at Cranfield University. Shaping future airport leaders for the net zero era As global aviation advances toward net zero carbon emissions, airports face growing pressure to navigate complex, evolving challenges. This new AMPAP course addresses that need, equipping current and future airport leaders with strategic insight and practical tools to lead through sustainable transitions, digital transformation, geopolitical shifts, and rising passenger expectations. A first-of-its-kind in the AMPAP portfolio, the course blends policy insight, operational strategy, and hands-on exploration of emerging aviation technologies – an essential investment in climate-conscious, innovation-driven airport leadership. Cranfield: A hub of aviation excellence Cranfield University has earned global recognition as a center of excellence in aviation, aerospace, and environmental innovation. The institution has played a vital role in AMPAP over the past two years, contributing leading-edge expertise to the program's evolving curriculum. Two exclusive experiential components of the course include: A guided tour of the Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) A visit to the Cranfield Hydrogen Innovation Centre


Gulf Business
15-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
By the numbers: Why Dubai International Airport is world's busiest
Image credit: WAM Dubai International Airport remains the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic for 2024, according to a report released today by Airports Council International (ACI) World. Read- The 10 busiest airports, representing 9 per cent of global traffic (855 million passengers), recorded an increase of 8.8 per cent from 2023, and an 8.4 per cent rise compared to their 2019 results (789 million passengers in 2019). Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its top position, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Air cargo volumes are estimated to have increased by 8.4 per cent year-over-year (up 3.9 per cent versus 2019), reaching over 124 million metric tonnes in 2024. 'Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world's busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress,' said ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci. What sets The airport welcomed 92.3 million guests in 2024, surpassing its previous all-time high of 89.1 million in 2018. The 2024 results exceeded forecasts by nearly 200,000 guests, underscoring DXB's strong global appeal. Over the past decade, DXB has welcomed more than 700 million guests across over 3.3 million flights. Since 2014, DXB has topped Airports Council International's rankings as the world's busiest international airport. New benchmarks With connections to 272 destinations across 107 countries served by 106 international airlines, DXB continues to set the standard as one of the world's most connected airports. DXB handled 2.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, a sharp increase of 20.5 per cent from the previous year, when the hub registered 1.8 million tonnes. Total flight movements rose by 5.7 per cent in 2024 to reach 440,300, with a load factor of 78.1 — a marginal increase of 0.3 per cent for the year.


Gulf Today
15-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Dubai International Airport retains top spot in global passenger traffic
Dubai International Airport has maintained its position as the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic for 2024, according to a report released on Monday by Airports Council International (ACI) World. Preliminary figures indicate that the 2024 global total passengers are close to 9.5 billion, representing an increase of 9 per cent from 2023 or a gain of 3.8 per cent from pre-pandemic levels (2019). The top 10 busiest airports, representing 9 per cent of global traffic (855 million passengers), witnessed a gain of 8.8 per cent from 2023 and a gain of 8.4 per cent vis-à-vis their 2019 results (789 million pax in 2019). Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport defends its top position, followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Air cargo volumes are estimated to have increased by 8.4 per cent year-over-year (+3.9 per cent versus 2019) to over 124 million metric tonnes in 2024. ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci said, 'Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world's busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. As air travel grows, ACI World stands ready to support its members, ensuring the smooth flow of people and goods that drive global economic, social, and cultural progress.' Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, has affirmed that Dubai International Airport's continued position as the world's busiest hub for international passengers for the eleventh consecutive year is a milestone that goes beyond numbers, embodying Dubai's exceptional status as a leading global destination for tourism, trade, business and residency. Commenting on the latest report by Airports Council International, Griffiths said, 'Despite the ongoing challenges facing the aviation sector each year, some facts remain unchanged. With 92.3 million passengers in 2024, we continue to maintain our lead for over a decade, setting a new global benchmark for international passenger traffic through a single airport.' He credited the achievement to collaboration and the exceptional efforts made to shape an outstanding travel experience, one that reflects Dubai's unique spirit and status as a world-class city. Griffiths added that the focus now shifts to the future, noting that development works have already commenced at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport, which will enable increased capacity and set new standards in airport design and the overall travel experience. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a cooperation agreement with the Emirates Group to support the scholarship programme, enhance the qualifications of UAE nationals, and ensure their readiness to meet national priorities. The partnership aims to strengthen the integration between the programme outcomes and the job market's needs while advancing the country's strategic goals by developing skilled Emirati talent in future sectors. The agreement seeks to support scholarship programmes by offering educational opportunities for Emirati students at leading international universities in fields aligned with national priorities. It also facilitates their transition from higher education to the job market by providing practical training, career guidance, and guaranteed employment after graduation. The agreement was signed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of senior officials from both entities. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said, 'The Emirates Group is committed to empowering Emiratis by providing a wide range of career pathways and tailored development programmes designed to equip them for long-term success and growth. Our ongoing collaborations with industry partners and government entities reflect our dedication to expanding both educational and career opportunities for the next generation of Emirati travel and aviation professionals. 'We are especially proud to partner with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) on our first joint initiative, and thank them for their dedication to nurturing the youth of our nation. Through this partnership, we hope to support the academic and career aspirations of young Emiratis, while also offering them opportunities to contribute to the UAE's economy and aviation sector. This initiative is a key step in delivering on the Emirates Group's Emiratisation strategy, which aims to build a robust, future-ready national workforce.' Dr. Al Awar noted that the agreement represents a strategic step toward boosting the quality of higher education outcomes and aligning them with the needs of the national economy. He stated that the partnership with the Emirates Group provides students with advanced, integrated educational opportunities that combine academic achievement with practical experience, strengthening their readiness to excel in the job market after graduation. He added, 'At MoHESR, we are continuously enhancing the scholarship programme by forging strategic partnerships with key national companies with the aim of creating a safe and supportive environment and streamlining the educational journey for scholarship students.' WAM


Filipino Times
14-04-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Dubai Airport remains 2nd busiest worldwide in 2024 for international travel
Dubai International Airport has retained its spot as the world's second busiest airport for international passengers in 2024, based on new data from Airports Council International (ACI) World. The airport ranked just behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The global number of airline passengers reached nearly 9.5 billion last year, which is a 9% jump from 2023 and about 3.8% higher than the numbers seen before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Airports in the top 10 list, including Dubai, made up around 855 million of these passengers, about 9% of the total global count. This marks a solid recovery from 2019, when the same airports handled about 789 million passengers. Meanwhile, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport landed third on the list, trailing closely behind Dubai. These rankings are based on the number of travelers passing through each airport. Aside from passenger traffic, ACI reported that air cargo shipments also increased in 2024 by 8.4% from the previous year, reaching over 124 million metric tonnes worldwide. 'Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world's busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity,' said ACI World Director-General Justin Erbacci.


The National
14-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Dubai tops list of world's busiest international airports for 11th year
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has extended its dominance as the world's busiest international hub for the 11th year in a row, after higher investment in technology and infrastructure, and as global long-haul travel overtook pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Dubai, home base of super-connector Emirates airlines, handled 92.3 million passengers last year, up 6.1 per cent from 2023 and 7 per cent from 2019, according to the latest data by Airports Council International (ACI), which represents 2,181 airports in 170 countries. London's Heathrow, Incheon in Seoul, Singapore's Changi and Schiphol in Amsterdam rounded off the top-five busiest hubs for international air traffic in 2024, ACI said in a report on Monday. Including domestic passenger travel, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson – the base of Delta Air Lines – retained its title as the world's busiest airport, handling 108.1 million travellers. It was followed by Dubai International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth in second and third place, respectively. The biggest jump in the top 10 rankings was Shanghai Pudong International Airport, leapfrogging from 21st position in 2023 to the 10th in 2024. The progress was fuelled by expanded visa policies, resumption and growth of international flights, operational improvements and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, ACI said. Global air travel surged last year, despite geopolitical and economic headwinds. Passenger volumes reached nearly 9.5 billion, an increase of 9 per cent from 2023, ACI data showed. "Amid global challenges, the resilience of the world's busiest airports shines. These hubs are vital arteries of trade, commerce and connectivity," ACI World's director general Justin Erbacci said. However, global passenger travel growth faced "significant uncertainties" last year from economic and geopolitical challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza war, tension in Lebanon and Iran, as well as the toppling of the Bashar Al Assad regime in Syria. "Ongoing supply chain challenges and production delays from aircraft manufacturers, as well as geopolitical tensions, posed a risk to growth opportunities by potentially altering flight routes, increasing operational costs and affecting passenger sentiment," ACI said. "Additionally, the threat of tariffs raised concerns about potential disruptions to global trade, which indirectly affected international travel demand and increased constructions." The sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump has rattled markets and supply chains globally. Global passenger traffic this year is forecast to reach 9.9 billion, with a 4.8 per cent annual growth, ACI said. "While passenger demand remains strong, the pace of expansion is expected to slow as markets shift from recovery-driven surges to structural, long-term growth patterns," it said. "Key challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and capacity constraints are expected to increasingly shape the industry's trajectory." This year's growth is split into a tale of two markets. In advanced markets, demand stabilisation, supply chain bottlenecks in production and airports' capacity shortage may "temper growth", ACI said. However, in emerging markets, higher infrastructure investment and rising middle-class travel demand are expected to continue driving expansion. "As the industry moves into a new era of growth, the airport industry must focus on financial viability, investment in infrastructure, operational efficiency and sustainability," ACI said.