Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World, reflects on how outcomes from ICAO’s 42nd Assembly will empower airports to deliver smarter, greener and more seamless travel in the coming years.
The next few years will be decisive for global aviation. Demand is rising, the sector and communities desire cleaner growth, and travellers expect journeys that are secure, seamless and inclusive. Against this backdrop, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 42nd Assembly became the arena to align ambition with action. Held in Montreal from 23 September to 3 October 2025, the triennial assembly gathered more than 2,000 leaders from 192 States to set priorities for the international civil aviation sector.
Under the theme “Transform airports, empower aviation and connect the world,” Airports Council International (ACI) achieved several significant outcomes that will help transform the future of global aviation. In addition, we actively defended airport interests through targeted interventions, ensuring these priorities were reflected in the final outcomes.
What will the airport of 2026 and beyond look like?
Assembly outcomes equip airports, the industry, and States to integrate risk-based security, scale clean energy, modernise slot policy, strengthen economic frameworks, enable digital and inclusive journeys, and advance aerodrome certification. Success will be visible in safer airports, shorter queues, greener operations, more reliable schedules, and a stellar traveller experience. Most importantly, it will be measurable – in emissions reduced, connections added, safety enhanced, and prosperity shared.
ACI-led changes to the ICAO assembly Resolution on Security promote a co-ordinated, risk-based approach that speeds up deployment of new screening technologies, strengthening security, improving efficiency, and reducing queues for passengers and keeping safety standards high.
What was achieved for airports and the industry?
Driving efficiency and risk-based, harmonised aviation security
As the security landscape evolves, airports and States are aligning on a smarter, standardised way to keep people safe without slowing them down.
Changes to the Assembly Resolution on Security, driven by ACI and broadly supported by States, reinforced the need for a co-ordinated, efficient and harmonised approach to testing and certification to accelerate the deployment of new security equipment, supporting stronger security, greater operational efficiency, and an improved passenger experience.
Secured recognition of airports as critical to aviation decarbonisation
Meeting climate goals requires empowering airports to generate, store, and manage cleaner energy as integral nodes of the aviation ecosystem.
ACI welcomed the formal recognition of airports’ critical role in aviation decarbonisation, with States called to establish enabling frameworks for airport projects such as renewable energy and energy storage. This recognition, driven by ACI, was one of the biggest changes to the ICAO Assembly Resolution on Climate Change agreed during this Assembly.
Advocated for modernised airport slot policy
To match capacity with demand fairly and efficiently, slot rules must reflect today’s operational realities and public-interest objectives.
ACI’s positions gained support across different regions to ensure that public interest is served through equitable, nationally tailored slot policies; the Assembly called for strategic discussions on slot policy modernisation that considers local infrastructure.
Championed airports as businesses in their own right and defended their economic interests
Sustainable airport economics enable the airport investments that travellers and communities expect.
ACI’s promotion of greater air connectivity won States’ support and led to recognition by the Assembly of the need to tackle policy and fiscal barriers affecting connectivity and consumers, and impeding socio-economic development. ACI also defended airports’ and passengers’ interests in matters of consumer protection, called for progress on air service liberalisation, and opposed excessive and double taxation of air transport.
Underscored the critical importance of seamless travel
With volumes rising, the path to resilience is frictionless processing rooted in digital identity, trusted data, and co-ordinated agencies.
With air travel demand expected to reach 18.9 billion by 2047, ACI urged States to enable seamless travel by improving inter-agency co-ordination nationally, accelerating digital travel credentials globally, and supporting industry in implementing digital identity management and biometric solutions – with a focus on seamless borders.
Strengthened aerodrome certification worldwide
Raising the safety baseline everywhere depends on practical support that helps airports achieve and maintain certification.
ACI’s advocacy on aerodrome certification, supported by States across four ICAO regions, called for stronger, coordinated support for governments and airport operators to overcome the challenges in improving safety and getting airports certified.
The ICAO 42nd Assembly placed airports at the centre of global aviation policy. Now we must execute pragmatically and collaboratively. If we seize this moment, the airport of 2026 and beyond will not merely cope with demand; it will set a new standard for secure, seamless and sustainable travel. That is the future ACI will continue to champion, and the future we can build together.
What this means for travellers
Assembly outcomes show up in the traveller’s journey. For instance, risk-based, harmonised security and digital identity shorten queues while keeping safety standards high. By accelerating digital travel credentials globally, travellers experience smoother journeys. Aerodrome certification support raises the safety baseline everywhere and for everyone and facilitates greater global connectivity.
Making 2026 tangible
As airports and their partners translate assembly outcomes into action, success will be judged where it matters most: travellers and communities. Smarter risk-based security, cleaner energy on airport estates, modernised slot regimes, balanced economics and digitally enabled journeys will be part of this future. The airport of 2026 and beyond will set the pace for secure, seamless and sustainable travel that communities can measure, and travellers can experience.
Justin Erbacci began his current role as Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) World in September 2024. A seasoned aviation professional and visionary leader with a proven track record, Justin previously served as Chief Executive Officer – Airports at NEOM in Saudi Arabia and as Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Justin also excelled as Chief Operating Officer, Chief IT and Commercial Strategy Officer and Chief IT and Innovation Officer at LAWA.
Prior to his tenure at LAWA, Justin was Vice President of Customer Experience and Technology at the airline alliance Star Alliance Services GmbH. His ability to drive innovation and leverage technology was developed during his IT leadership roles at major global companies such as Credit Suisse and United Airlines. Earlier, he gained experience at management consultancies including Cambridge Management Consultants and Deloitte and Touche. He also practised law as a civil rights defence litigator.
Justin holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Vienna School of Economics/University of South Carolina, a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University of Chicago.
