ACI Partners with Cranfield University to Offer Groundbreaking Airport Management Course for Sustainable Aviation Leadership
(IN SHORT) Airports Council International (ACI) World has partnered with Cranfield University to offer a new, transformative course: Airport Management in a Net Zero World. The course, part of the ACI-ICAO Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP), will be held at Cranfield University in the UK and aims to equip airport leaders with the skills necessary to navigate the evolving challenges of the aviation industry, particularly in sustainability and innovation. The course will include experiential learning at key research centers and will provide valuable insights into the future of airport management in a sustainable, net-zero world.
(PRESS RELEASE) MONTREAL, 2025-May-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Cranfield University, one of the world’s leading institutions in aviation research and education, to offer a new, pioneering course: Airport Management in a Net Zero World.
Offered under the prestigious ACI-International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP), this one-week intensive course will be hosted at Cranfield University’s campus in the United Kingdom. The course aims to provide a powerful platform for aviation professionals to deepen their leadership skills, particularly in the areas of climate action, innovation, and resilience, in the context of the airport industry’s ongoing transition to a sustainable future.
ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci emphasized the importance of leadership in addressing the evolving challenges faced by airports: “The airport industry is at a pivotal moment. To address the challenges of today, we need forward-thinking leadership. This course provides a critical forum for senior professionals to engage deeply with emerging trends and their implications, building on the rigorous AMPAP foundation. Our partnership with Cranfield University reflects our shared commitment to developing the intellectual leadership necessary to guide aviation through its most transformative period.”
Professor Anna Smallwood, Head of the Centre for Air Transport Management at Cranfield University, commented on the collaboration, saying, “We are excited to build on the growing partnership with ACI and offer a transformative learning experience. This course provides a dynamic and immersive environment, encouraging collaboration with like-minded professionals. It is designed to inspire new perspectives and strategies for shaping the future of airports in a sustainable, innovative, and rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Shaping Future Airport Leaders for a Net Zero Future
As the global aviation industry advances toward net-zero carbon emissions, airports face increasing pressure to adapt to a range of challenges, including sustainability, digital transformation, and shifting geopolitical landscapes. The Airport Management in a Net Zero World course is designed to equip current and future airport leaders with the strategic insight and practical tools necessary to lead sustainable transitions in the face of these challenges.
This first-of-its-kind course in the AMPAP portfolio will combine policy insight, operational strategy, and hands-on exploration of emerging aviation technologies, offering participants an essential investment in leadership skills for climate-conscious, innovation-driven airport management.
Cranfield: A Hub of Aviation Excellence
Cranfield University is globally recognized as a center of excellence in aviation, aerospace, and environmental innovation. The university has been a vital contributor to AMPAP over the past two years, providing cutting-edge expertise that has helped shape the evolving curriculum of the program.
Two exclusive experiential components of the course include:
- A guided tour of the Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC)
- A visit to the Cranfield Hydrogen Innovation Centre
About ACI
Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association for the world’s airports, representing a federated organization comprising ACI World, ACI Africa, ACI Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, ACI EUROPE, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean, and ACI North America. ACI advocates for the best interests of airports during policy development, contributing significantly to a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable global air transport system. As of January 2025, ACI represents 830 members, operating 2,181 airports in 170 countries.
Media contacts
Sabrina Guerrieri
Director, Communications
ACI World
Telephone : +1 514 373 1254
Email : mediarelations@aci.aero
SOURCE: ACI World
