ACI APAC & MID secures regional support for safer and resilient airports

Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), the trade group, representing more than 600 airports across the region, called for stronger measures to address airport security, improve airport resilience, restoration of air connectivity and accelerated climate action across the Middle East at the 8th ICAO Meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation for the Middle East Region (DGCA-MID/8) in Doha, Qatar in late October 2026.

The discussions saw several Member States voice support for ACI APAC & MID’s proposals, with calls for closer cooperation and measures to address challenges facing airports. 

Protecting airports from drone attacks and security threats: ACI APAC & MID, together with Qatar and CASP-MID, called for closer cooperation to protect airports from drone attacks and landside security threats. Member States, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE, expressed support for ACI APAC & MID’s recommendations in addressing the drone and security threats. Building on this support, ACI APAC & MID will work with ICAO and regional partners to explore joint workshops and webinars in 2027.

More efficient LAGs screening: ACI APAC & MID called for trials of advanced screening technologies, including CT scanners, to strengthen security and improve screening of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs). States agreed to support airports in technology trials and enhance passenger communication as global requirements for LAGs screening evolve.

Restoration of Connectivity and Investing in Airports: ACI APAC & MID stressed the need to restore air connectivity and ensure airports can secure the investment needed to meet future demand. The meeting recognised these priorities, encouraging States to support traffic recovery, facilitate access to funding and develop sustainable financing frameworks for airport infrastructure.

Making airports climate-resilient: ACI APAC & MID presented practical tools to help airports assess climate risks and reduce emissions. A pilot covering 47 airports identified extreme heat, rainfall and storms as major risks, affecting an estimated 58% of assessed airport infrastructure and services. The meeting recommended that States encourage airports to participate in the Net Zero Roadmap Programme and use ACI APAC & MID's complimentary climate risk tools. The UAE, Qatar, Egypt and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) expressed support for the initiatives.

Strengthening Airport Business Continuity: ACI APAC & MID highlighted the importance of integrating business continuity plans with existing safety management and emergency response arrangements. This would help airports maintain essential services during disruptions and restore operations safely.

Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East said: “Airports are critical economic infrastructure. Protecting them from emerging threats, ensuring they can withstand disruptions and investing in their future are shared responsibilities. We welcome the support from Member States for our recommendations and look forward to working together to make airports across the Middle East safer, more resilient and better prepared for the future.”

ACI APAC & MID welcomes the outcomes of DGCA-MID/8 and will continue working with ICAO, Member States and industry partners to strengthen airport security, restore connectivity and support a resilient and sustainable aviation sector across the Middle East.

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