From November 25–27, 2025, Airports Innovate 2025, the global innovation event for the airport industry, took place in Busan, South Korea. The event was co-organized by ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, ACI EUROPE, and ACI World, and hosted by the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC).

Within the framework of the event, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East convened regional sessions and conferences associated with the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition. These sessions discussed the development direction of the regional airport industry for the upcoming period and conducted elections for representatives to join the ACI World Governing Board.

The delegation from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), led by Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung – Deputy General Director and Member of the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Board, attended the conference.

The Board of Regional Director of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East poses for a commemorative photo at the Conference

Airports Innovate 2025 is ACI’s global innovation conference and exhibition, gathering hundreds of airport leaders, aviation regulators, technology firms, startups, and research experts from all continents. The event focuses on technology trends and advanced operational models to assist airports in enhancing operational capacity and passenger experience.

According to a press release from ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, the 2025 program focused on major themes such as:

  • Comprehensive Digital Transformation at Airports: The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and automation in operations.
  • Innovation in Aviation Security Technology: The expanded deployment of CT scanners, body scanners, and AI-driven identification and automated detection support systems. Notably, the deployment rate of CT and body scanners at airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions is projected to double by 2028.
  • Optimization of Infrastructure Capacity and Slot Policy: ACI calls for reform of the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG), which have remained largely unchanged since the 1970s, to meet growth demands and ensure healthy competition among airlines.
  • Sustainable Development: Reducing carbon emissions and building smart, eco-friendly airport models.

In his "State of the Industry" address, Mr. Stefano Baronci – Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, emphasized the requirement to "leapfrog" in technology, alongside policy reform and infrastructure investment, enabling airports in the region to meet passenger growth demands, ensure safety and security, and elevate customer experience.

ACV Participation: Enhancing Integration and Position in the International Airport Community

Attending Airports Innovate 2025, the ACV delegation updated themselves on new trends in technology, operational models, and non-aviation services. Simultaneously, they engaged in exchanges and networking with international partners to seek cooperation opportunities in infrastructure investment, digital transformation, and commercial airport services.

In his capacity as a Member of the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Board, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung participated in regional sessions where leaders of airports across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East discussed shared priorities regarding: infrastructure optimization, slot policies, safety and security, service quality improvement, and the sustainable development of the network of over 600 airports in the region.

A key agenda item during the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East meeting in Busan was the election of regional representatives to join the ACI World Governing Board – the highest governing body of ACI World.

At this session, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung – Deputy General Director of ACV and Member of the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Board, was elected with high confidence as a representative of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East on the ACI World Governing Board for a three-year term, in accordance with current ACI World regulations.

This result reflects the high regard of the international airport community for ACV's role and contributions in recent times; simultaneously, it affirms the increasingly elevated position of Vietnam's aviation industry within the global airport network.

The participation of ACV's Deputy General Director in the ACI World Governing Board not only asserts ACV's standing in the international airport community but also opens opportunities for ACV to contribute more deeply to the formulation of global policies and standards, supporting the Corporation's strategic sustainable development and international integration goals through 2030, with a vision to 2050.

 

About Airports Council International (ACI) and ACI World

  • Airports Council International (ACI) is the international association representing airports worldwide, comprising approximately 830 members operating over 2,180 airports in 170 countries and territories.
  • ACI World, headquartered in Montréal (Canada), serves as the "global focal point" of the ACI system, coordinating with five regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific & Middle East, Europe, Latin America–Caribbean, and North America.
  • ACI World Governing Board (WGB) is the global Board of Directors for ACI World, ensuring that all policy recommendations and activities of ACI reflect the collective interests of member airports globally.
  • The WGB consists of 28 senior leaders (typically Airport CEOs/Directors General) nominated by the ACI Regional Boards, along with the Immediate Past Chair.

Role of the ACI World Governing Board

  • Sets the global strategic direction for ACI World in areas such as: safety and security, infrastructure capacity, slots, passenger experience, environment, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
  • Determines policy stances and the collective voice of the airport community before international organizations such as ICAO, IATA, and multilateral economic and political forums, thereby influencing regulations, standards, and operational trends of the global aviation industry.
  • Ratifies ACI’s global programs, standards, and guidance frameworks related to security, safety, environment, customer service, and airport economics.

Regarding the Asia-Pacific & Middle East region, ACI currently holds 9 seats on the ACI World Governing Board, reflecting the increasingly significant role of airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East within the global aviation network.

Additional photos from the event

News & Photos: Administration Department