Airports across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East are preparing for a major upsurge in air travel, with passenger volumes expected to grow by nearly 7 per cent annually over the next 25 years. In response, regional airport stakeholders have adopted a collective resolution focused on sustainable infrastructure upgrades and capacity optimisation.
This decision was made during the 2nd ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly of Airport Members held in New Delhi. The resolution marks a united commitment to future-ready, climate-conscious airport development in a region that accounts for 58 per cent of the global aviation market and hosts nine of the ten fastest-growing aviation economies.
Acknowledging the essential role of airports in regional connectivity, trade, and economic development, the assembly called for infrastructure expansion aligned with long-term environmental and financial sustainability. Key measures include modernising airport slot allocation systems to improve operational efficiency, mitigate congestion, and reduce delays.
The resolution also emphasises collaboration in traffic management through systems such as Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) and cross-border Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), designed to cut fuel use and lower emissions.
Infrastructure expansion will prioritise climate resilience and digital integration, with plans for smart terminals, green buildings, and renewable energy use. To ensure financial viability, the resolution advocates for diverse funding models, including public-private partnerships and institutional investments.
Airport authorities are urging governments to adopt progressive regulatory frameworks that promote innovation and consumer-centric development. The resolution underlines the need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), zero-emission operations, and disaster-resilient design in all future projects.
A strong emphasis has also been placed on collaboration across the aviation ecosystem. The resolution calls for greater coordination among airports, airlines, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure growth is inclusive and aligned with global climate goals. Leadership from ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East stated that with the region driving global aviation growth, building sustainable and efficient airport infrastructure is crucial.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 15.5 billion in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The occasion also saw the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Shah lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive action following the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that Operation Sindoor marked a historic moment in India’s counter-terror strategy. The operation, he noted, struck nine terrorist hideouts up to 100 km inside Pakistan, sending a powerful message to both terrorists and the Pakistani establishment. Shah said that the precision, political will, and military valour behind the strike had exposed Pakistan’s denial of harbouring terrorism.
He reaffirmed Modi's stance that trade and terrorism cannot coexist, declaring that talks with Pakistan would only concern the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and the end of terrorism. Highlighting India’s military achievements, Shah said that BrahMos missiles had neutralised airbases and terrorist strongholds, including hideouts of militants like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.
The event also saw the inauguration and foundation laying of 91 urban development works under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, including housing units for over 1,070 families, flyovers, water stations, sewage upgrades, and decorative riverfront lighting. Projects included the Rs 237 crore Sabarmati-Chandkheda railway overbridge, Rs 131 crore Sabarmati river lighting scheme, and sports facilities under multiple flyovers worth Rs 38 crore.
As part of employment initiatives, the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) distributed tools and equipment such as electronic potter's wheels, sewing machines, and incense stick-making machines to over 1,000 beneficiaries. Shah also urged the youth of Ahmedabad to join the Green Gandhinagar Mission, calling on each individual to plant a tree in their mother’s name as a tribute to both maternal love and the environment.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has pledged to plant 4 million trees, a move Shah said could significantly reduce the city’s carbon footprint and mitigate the impact of global warming.
This resolution signals a shift towards viewing airports not just as transit points, but as climate-resilient, digitally connected engines of mobility and growth. The move positions the region to lead in sustainable aviation, ensuring that expansion balances efficiency with ecological and social responsibility.
