Drone attacks and landside security threats loom. AdobeStock/Joe P
Several Middle East states have backed proposals to strengthen airport security and resilience, restore air connectivity and support climate action, according to Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID).
The airport trade group, which represents more than 600 airports across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, presented the proposals at the eighth ICAO Meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation for the Middle East Region in Doha in late October.
Screens up
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE expressed support for recommendations on drone attacks and landside security threats, the group said.
ACI APAC & MID presented the proposals with Qatar and CASP-MID and plans to work with ICAO and regional partners to explore joint workshops and webinars in 2027.
States also agreed to support airport trials of advanced screening technologies, including CT scanners, and improve passenger communication as requirements for screening liquids, aerosols and gels evolve, according to ACI APAC & MID.
Climate risk support
ACI APAC & MID also presented findings from a climate-risk pilot covering 47 airports.
It identified extreme heat, rainfall and storms as major risks, affecting an estimated 58% of the airport infrastructure and services assessed.
The meeting recommended that states encourage airports to join the group’s Net Zero Roadmap Programme and use its free climate-risk tools. The UAE, Qatar, Egypt and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) expressed support for the initiatives, the group said.
To recovery and beyond
On connectivity and investment, the meeting encouraged states to support traffic recovery, facilitate access to funding and develop sustainable financing frameworks for airport infrastructure, the group said.
The group called for airport business continuity plans to be integrated with safety management and emergency response arrangements to help maintain essential services during disruptions and restore operations safely.
“Airports are critical economic infrastructure. Protecting them from emerging threats, ensuring they can withstand disruptions and investing in their future are shared responsibilities,” said Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East.
ACI APAC & MID said it would continue working with ICAO, member states and industry partners on airport security, connectivity and resilience across the Middle East.