Abu Dhabi prepares for the Airport Council International flagship event

The Middle East is hosting Airport Council International (ACI) Europe and Asia-Pacific's major annual gathering for the very first time.

Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC) is the host for the Airport Exchange 2011 which takes place November 28-39 and brings together more than 1,500 aviation senior professionals to take part in a conference programme which addresses the key issues affecting the air transport sector in the current climate.

The dynamic three-day aviation event will host various conferences around the six key themes: Security, Airport Operations, Airport Development and Environment, IT, Facilitation & Customer Service, Commercial, and Network Planning. These forums provide a unique opportunity for delegates to share ideas, strategies and best practices with key players across all sectors of the aviation industry and will be delivered by a prestigious list of speakers from leading organization in the aviation community.

Keynote speakers include Tan Sri Bashir, Managing Director, Malaysia Airports and President, ACI Asia Pacific,(pictured above); Kosaburo Morinaka, President and CEO, Narita International Airport Corporation and Second Vice President, ACI Asia Pacific, Declan Collier, CEO, Dublin Airport Authority, James Bennett, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Kevin Knight, Chief Officer of Strategy and Planning, Etihad Airways, Dr. Temel Kotil, CEO, Turkish Airlines, Iftikhar Ahmad, Director of Aviation, New Orleans Aviation Board; Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Arnaud Feist, CEO, Brussels Airport, and John S. Pistole, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration.

Commenting on the announcement, ADAC CEO, James E. Bennett said: “ADAC is delighted to host this internationally recognized aviation event which gives us the opportunity to showcasing the growth of Abu Dhabi as a transport hub. The different themes that this event will cover will offer delegates insight and solutions to key issues currently facing the sector and I look forward to being involved.”

The announced Conference themes include:

· "Evolving Strategies for Evolving Threats"

· "Managing the pressures of growth whilst ensuring efficient and safe operations"

· "Developing airports of the future"

· "Does good automation make for good customer service?"

· "Creating environments to inspire consumer and commercial success"

· "Maximising Your Airport's Case for Securing New Air Services" (An intensive learning experience with the full and low fare carriers)

Airport Exchange 2011 will be held at ADNEC between 28 and 30 November and is the first industry event that ACI Europe and ACI Asia-Pacific have jointly developed in the Middle East showing the region’s growing importance. Experts from around the globe will benefit from networking opportunities, shared knowledge and the latest in expertise and developments.

For more information, visit http://www.airport-exchange.com/