In the context of the Conference, a special Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate ceremony was organised to mark the accreditation of Vilnius Airport at Level 1 Mapping. Gediminas Almantas, CEO Lithuanian Airports, receiving the certificate for Vilnius Airport from Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE.
Report by Inês Rebelo
The 9th ACI EUROPE Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition took place in Vilnius on 11-13 May, graciously hosted by Lithuanian Airports. This event, supported by European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), European Regions Airline Association (ERA) and Assembly of European Regions (AER), was preceded by the 23rd meeting of ACI EUROPE’s Regional Airports Forum, which is celebrating 10 years as the industry‘s unique platform for regional airports. Under the theme “Europe’s Regional Airports: Efficient Co-operation to Enhance a Sustainable Passenger Experience”, European regional airports discussed the impact of the regulatory framework on regional airports. They also discussed the main strategies they are implementing to increase connectivity and foster productive relationships with airlines, as well as maintain and optimise the level of non-aeronautical revenue.
ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec gave a presentation on the State of the Industry, followed by Arijandas Sliupas, Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications, Republic of Lithuania, who spoke about the success of the concession model in Lithuania.
This year’s Keynote Address was delivered by Henrik Mørch, Head of Unit at DG Competition, European Commission. Mørch pointed out the increasing competition dynamics in the airport sector, stressing that there has never been a single case of a regional airport abusing dominant position – unlike airlines. He briefed delegates in detail on the ongoing work of the European Commission with regard to the implementation of the State Aid Guidelines and their likely evolution.
Alberto Martín Rodriguez, Chair of the Regional Airports’ Forum and Managing Director of Gran Canaria Airport, underlined the three key concepts for regional airports: cooperation, sustainability and passenger experience. Gediminas Almantas, CEO Lithuanian Airports, focused on how “smaller can be better”, explaining how smaller airports can make a difference in improving passenger experience.
Among the key speakers also were Henri Hansson, Senior Vice President, Finavia, and Robert Sinclair, CEO Bristol Airport Limited.
In the context of the Conference, a special Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate ceremony was organised to mark the accreditation of Vilnius Airport at Level 1 Mapping.
The 10th ACI EUROPE Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition will take place on 15-17 May 2017 in Cork, hosted by Cork Airport.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Henrik Mørch, Head of Unit at DG Competition, European Commission. He briefed delegates in detail on the ongoing work of the European Commission with regard to the implementation of the State Aid Guidelines and their likely evolution.
Arijandas Sliupas, Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications, Republic of Lithuania, spoke about the success of the concession model in Lithuania.
Alberto Martín Rodriguez, Chair of the Regional Airports’ Forum and Managing Director of Gran Canaria Airport, underlined the three key concepts for regional airports: cooperation, sustainability and passenger experience.
Gediminas Almantas, CEO Lithuanian Airports, focused on how “smaller can be better”, explaining how smaller airports can make a difference in improving passenger experience.
Henri Hansson, Senior Vice President, Finavia.
ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec gave a presentation on the State of the Industry.
Robert Sinclair, CEO Bristol Airport Limited.
