Airports across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions are preparing to manage an anticipated surge in air travel, with forecasts suggesting an annual growth rate of nearly 7% over the next 25 years.
In response to this significant increase in demand, regional airport stakeholders have adopted a collective resolution focused on sustainable capacity optimisation and comprehensive infrastructure upgrades, both on the ground and in the air. The resolution was passed during the 2nd ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly of Airport Members held in New Delhi, marking a unified step towards future-ready, climate-conscious airport development. The Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions together account for 58% of the global aviation market and are home to nine of the ten fastest-growing aviation economies. Acknowledging the pivotal role of airports in regional connectivity, trade, and socio-economic advancement, the assembly reaffirmed the need for expanded infrastructure that aligns with sustainability and long-term financial stability. The resolution addresses a broad range of priorities including decarbonisation, congestion mitigation, advanced air traffic control, diverse financing models, regulatory innovation, and smart technology integration.
Among the core measures adopted is the modernisation of airport slot allocation systems to reflect evolving market realities, enabling more efficient utilisation of existing infrastructure and reducing operational delays. In parallel, airports will advance collaborative traffic management practices such as Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) and cross-border Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) to improve coordination, minimise fuel burn, and lower carbon emissions. The push for physical infrastructure expansion will be guided by principles of environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and digital transformation, with projects incorporating renewable energy systems, smart terminals, and green building standards. To ensure these capital-intensive projects are viable in the long run, the resolution promotes diverse and inclusive financing mechanisms including public-private partnerships (PPPs) and institutional investment. Airport authorities are urging governments to adopt progressive, light-handed regulatory frameworks that create conducive environments for innovation, modernisation, and consumer-centric development. Furthermore, members stressed the importance of embedding sustainability and digitalisation into all future projects, with particular attention to the availability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), zero-emission operations, and disaster-resilient infrastructure design.
There is also a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration across the aviation ecosystem. The resolution calls for deeper engagement between airports, airlines, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of growth are equitably shared and aligned with broader development goals. It also affirms a commitment to aligning with global best practices and climate targets, positioning the regions as leaders in responsible aviation development. Leadership within the industry described this collective action as timely and necessary. The President of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East stated that the region’s central role in driving global air travel growth makes investment in sustainable and efficient infrastructure absolutely critical. He stressed that beyond physical expansion, regulatory reform, innovative financing, and responsive slot management are essential to meeting future challenges. The Director General of the association added that only a holistic approach—one that includes traffic management reform and environmental stewardship—can ensure the region sustains its upward trajectory without compromising on efficiency or ecological balance.
As air traffic demand rises, this resolution charts a new course for airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East—one where growth is not only measured in passenger numbers but also in resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity. The coordinated commitment to green, modern, and people-oriented infrastructure reflects a growing recognition that airports must evolve as critical nodes in a climate-resilient, digitally connected mobility future.
Asia Airports Aim for Smarter Infrastructure
