Turbulent times have forged closer ties between airports and airlines and launched a new era of cooperation “essential to survival of the industry,” James Cherry, outgoing chairman of Airports Council International World said at the 19th Annual ACI World general assembly yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.

Airports are now serving on working groups and panels along with airline officials on key topics including safety, security, recommended practices and the introduction of information technologies. ACI participation has increased in both IATA ventures and with issues at ICAO, he said. “I should note that the ACI staff is pushing for even more airport recognition on these panels since we still feel our voice is not always sufficiently taken into account,” said Cherry, the president/CEO of Aeroports de Montreal.

Cherry was succeeded as ACI World chairman by Max Moore-Wilton, chairman and CEO of Sydney Airports Corp., and chairman of Map Airports Ltd.

In the new era of cooperation, industry can expect that airport officials will continue to defend their positions, including the spread of commercialization of facilities, Cherry said.

While airlines were first to feel the blows from the economic downturn, Cherry said, airports have witnessed 10-20% revenue declines.

Photo: British Airways