The Airports Council International (ACI) World has introduced a new series of advisory materials aimed at helping airports boost their non-aeronautical (commercial) revenue in order to improve the traveller experience and contribute to the sector’s recovery as travel picks up.
The Optimal Integration of Airport Ground Access Services Handbook and the Sustainable Airport Ground Access Policy Paper are the first two pieces of public guidance on airport ground access.
Airports have evolved into multimodal transportation hubs over time, attempting to accommodate the needs of a broad collection of travellers with varying preferences for how to get to and from an airport. Significant trends, such as the possible impact of COVID-19, increased automation and technology connectedness, and industry decarbonization, are causing passenger expectations to evolve quickly.
Furthermore, the pandemic’s economic impact on airport financial health has underlined the necessity of non-aeronautical revenue in the rehabilitation of the airport company and the long-term viability of the overall aviation ecosystem.
“As transportation options evolve and the preferences of customers change, airports must respond to meet the needs of their primary customers—both passengers and employees,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira. “This requires airports to improve operating procedures, offer enhanced technologies, and upgrade infrastructure—particularly as travel picks up with the easing of travel restrictions.
“This might include increased digitalization, electric vehicle charging stations, the amount of available curb space, number of public parking spaces, need for remote parking lots, and the infrastructure required for bicycle access, for instance. When managed correctly, airports can enhance the customer experience and their revenue by effectively working with their service providers while striving to provide an exceptional customer experience.
“I encourage airports to leverage the Optimal Integration of Airport Ground Access Services Handbook, and the Sustainable Airport Ground Access Policy Paper, as well as the upcoming guidance in support of non-aeronautical activities and revenues, to improve the traveller experience and contribute to the sector’s recovery.”
The rest of the series will feature relevant guidance on concession agreements, duty-free, digital transformation, and food and beverage.
The papers were created by ACI World’s new Sub-Committee on Airports’ Non-Aeronautical Revenues and Activities (ANARA), which is affiliated with the ACI World Economics Standing Committee and is comprised of specialists from Member Airports and World Business Partners from around the world. The committee’s goal is to research, analyse, and provide strategies, policy recommendations, industry perspectives, and guidance material on how to improve, facilitate, and diversify non-aeronautical revenue sources for the benefit of the air transportation ecosystem.
Source: ACI
