ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East puts forward key airport priorities at 61st ICAO DGCA Conference

Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) has called for stronger measures to address airport and airspace capacity constraints, modernise airport slot policy, and accelerate climate action across the region to support a safer, more efficient, resilient and sustainable air transport system. The recommendations were put forward at the ongoing 61^st ICAO Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the Asia and Pacific Regions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 7-11 September 2026. 

Representing over 600 airports across the region, ACI APAC & MID is calling for practical policy measures to help airports prepare to accommodate traffic growth and evolving operational demands.

The scale of the capacity challenge makes these recommendations particularly timely. Asia-Pacific airports handled an estimated 3.6 billion passengers in 2025. With passenger traffic forecast to grow at 3.6% annually. Asia-Pacific region is estimated to handle 10 billion passengers by 2054. This requires airport infrastructure, airspace and policy frameworks can keep pace with demand.

Our Priorities 

Assessing airport and ATM/airspace capacities

Modernising airport slot policy

Supporting airport climate action

• Assessing airport and ATM/airspace capacities: In partnership with CANSO, ACI APAC & MID is calling for airport and airspace capacity to be developed in tandem to meet the region’s rapid growth in air travel. ACI APAC & MID is urging States to support coordinated capacity planning and the joint ACI–CANSO assessment to identify capacity gaps and inform future infrastructure and airspace planning.
• Modernising airport slot policy: With congestion placing increasing pressure on scarce airport capacity, ACI APAC & MID is advocating for the modernisation of airport slot policy while maintaining global coordination through the Worldwide Airport Slot Board as a technical coordination group. It is proposing greater transparency in slot allocation, a more structured role for airports, clearer conditions for historic slots, and stronger oversight of slot mobility.
• Supporting airport climate action: ACI APAC & MID is encouraging States to support airports leveraging the programmes such as climate risk assessment tools, the Regional Climate Dashboard, Net Zero Roadmap Programme and Airport Carbon Accreditation Incentive Programme. These initiatives are developed to help airports strengthen climate resilience, reduce emissions and progress towards Net Zero.
• Addressing airport security challenges: (An Information Paper) ACI APAC & MID highlighted the operational challenges facing airport security amid rapid traffic growth and the importance of ensuring security and facilitation keep pace with increasing passenger demand.
• The state of the Asia-Pacific airport industry: This paper focused on the region’s airport industry, examining growth, fiscal pressures and the infrastructure imperative as airports prepare to accommodate future demand.
   

ACI APAC & MID will continue working with States and industry partners to advance these priorities across the region.