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Diabierna, 15 September 2023 AWEMainta LOCAL NEWS 29
ACI LAC Airport Day 2023:
Catering to the next 100 years of traveling
ruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) recently hosted the opments that can ease travel including the use of Artificial
A1st official ACI-LAC Airport Day Aruba 2023 on behalf Intelligence whilst Mr. Yuri Feliciano from SITA shared valu-
of Airports Council International of the Latin America & Ca- able insights on collaborations between stakeholders that
ribbean region (ACI-LA) on Tuesday September 12, 2023. can enhance passenger experience including the Aruba
One Happy Pass recently launched in March 2023. Mr. Luis
ACI-LAC and AAA welcomed a total of 100 delegates from Soto from El Dorado International Airport focused on how to
around the world including Germany, Colombia, Costa attract future aviation leaders, guarantee talent and growth
Rica, Panama, and Miami for a one-day ACI-LAC Airport development for a rapidly changing aviation industry and
Day event that took place at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean attract a gender-balanced workforce. To finalize the program,
Resorts & Casino. With the theme of “Catering to the next a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Minerva Flemming
100 years of traveling”, the program included presentations from AAA and including Mr. Daniel Muñoz from GCG Group,
from worldwide partners and airport professionals focusing Mr. Sebastian Pinchinatti from Amadeus, Mr. Erick Barboza
on the future and the four main pillars of AAA’s corporate from AERIS Costa Rica, and Mr. John-Henry Palacios from
strategy which are People & Development, Quality of Service, Dufry discussed the importance of airports’ balancing act
Innovation & New Opportunities, and Sustainability & Social for future concession revenue generation.
Responsibility.
“Being able to meet the ever-changing demands of trav-
The event commenced with a welcome video by the Minister elers requires a strong collaboration between airport service
of Tourism and Public Health, Mr. Dangui Oduber, and providers, civil authorities, and key stakeholders to guar-
welcome remarks by AAA’s CEO Mr. Joost Meijs and the antee a smooth airport operation and positive impact on
Director General of ACI-LAC Mr. Rafael Echevarne. To open the passenger experience. As an airport, investing in diverse
the presentations section, Mr. Eliseo Llamazares from KPMG commercial offerings, innovative technological develop-
presented on balancing aviation traffic growth and sustain- ments, and authentic experiences inside and outside of the
able small island state economies, the current challenges airport terminal can favorably position the airport for future
small island states are facing including island capacity, and demands and needs of travelers. Sustainability needs to be
how sustainable initiatives can balance negative impacts embedded in all our decision making because that is what we
aviation can have on the community. Mr. Daniel Gumberger want and the customers of the future require”, said AAA CEO
from Munich International Airport shared emerging trends in Mr. Joost Meijs.
changing traveler needs and expectations of airport conces-
sionaires, authenticity of destination, art, and experiences AAA would like to thank ACI-LAC for the opportunity of
that should be considered for future airport developments. hosting the 1st official ACI-LAC Airport Day in Aruba,
As part of innovative technologies, Ms. Sevda Fevzi from all speakers for their valuable contribution and insights
Modalis shared her expert views on technological devel- provided, and all 100 delegates for attending the event.
