ACI APAC & MID champions Security-by-Design and Smarter Technology adoption at airports

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) reaffirmed its commitment to future-ready, risk-based airport security by delivering two working papers at the 13th ICAO Asia & Pacific Regional Aviation Security Coordination Forum (RASCF-APAC/13), held in Singapore on 12–13 June. Over 80 aviation security experts from state regulators in Asia-Pacific and industry associations attended the ICAO annual regional security forum.

One of ACI’s key contributions focused on promoting the “security-by-design” approach—an increasingly vital principle as the region anticipates a surge in capital investment in airport infrastructure development over the coming decades. According to ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Capital Investment Survey 2025-2035, it is estimated US$ 240 billion would be invested in modernising existing airports and development of greenfield airports creating an additional 680 million passenger capacity and 14 million tonnes of cargo capacity. Read our report CAPEX Survey 2025-2035.

At the Forum, ACI APAC & MID encouraged the State regulators in the Forum to work closely with the airports to ensure security considerations are integrated into the upfront design of new airport infrastructure. By doing so, future airport operations can be more effective, cost-efficient, and resilient, reducing the need for disruptive retrofits.

In its second paper, ACI APAC & MID advocated for the responsible deployment of advanced security technologies tailored to local contexts. While welcoming innovation, ACI APAC & MID urged States to maintain a balanced, holistic approach, cautioning against over-prioritising checkpoint technologies at the expense of other critical security areas, which are also vital for overall security and efficiency.

In addition, a number of other issues were discussed at the Forum, including the implementation progress of the ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP), capacity building initiatives in the region, and sharing of best practices in cybersecurity and other emerging threats.

 
The next RASCF will be held in Q2 2026, with the exact date and location to be confirmed. Besides, ACI APAC & MID also attended the 19th Steering Committee Meeting of ICAO Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP), which was held prior to the RASCF at the same location. 

Through strategic engagement at ICAO security forums, ACI APAC & MID continues to champion airport security that is efficient, integrated and future-ready.